Papaver Rhaeas, P. dubium & hybrid between them. Ill 
PAPAVER RHAiAS, P. DUBIUM AND THE HYBRID 
BETWEEN THEM. 
By C. E. Salmon, F.L.S. 
[With Sf.ven Figures in the Text] 
r\URING June, July and August, 1918, 1 had many exceptional 
“ opportunities for observing Poppies in some cornfields at 
Chilworth, Surrey, and happened to alight upon an example that 
seemed at first sight a variety of P. dubium ( Lamottei) with 
spreading hairs upon the peduncles. Upon a more detailed 
examination of the plant, however, I was not satisfied with this 
conclusion and believing that I had a hybrid between P. dubium 
and P. Rhceas before me, it became necessary to note closely the 
finer differences between these two species and their relation to 
my particular plant. 
Colour of Flower. Our handbooks scarcely lead one to expect 
such a striking difference in colour between the flowers of Rhcens 
and dubium. 
Babington ( Man . ed. 9, 18, 1904) says of the former, “deep 
scarlet, often nearly black at the base ”; of dubium, “ pale red.” 
Hooker (Stud. FI., ed. 3, 17, 1884) mentions that Rhceas has scarlet 
flowers, but omits any note of colour under dubium. Syme (Eng. 
Bot. 1, 89, 1863) notes, however, that in the flowers of P. dubium 
(Lamottei) “the scarlet colour ... is much paler than that of P % 
Rhceas .” Bentham and Hooker (Handb. Brit. FI., ed. 6, 18, 1892) 
give no indication as to the distinctive colour of dubium, merely 
stating that Rhceas has flowers “of a rich scarlet, with a dark eye ” 
—which, by the bye, is by no means always the case. Mr. Druce 
(FI. Berks, 33, 1897) mentions that the petals of dubium in their 
unopened stage are very much paler in colour than those of Rhceas 
jn a similar condition. Dr. F. N. Williams (Prod. FI. Brit. II, 603, 
1912) describes the petals of Rhceas as “ cinnabarina ” and those of 
dubium as “ miniata ” ; Dr. B. D. Jackson (Journ. Bot., 1899, 101) 
considers the former term to indicate a scarlet, “ the fullest in hue,” 
and the same authority (Gloss. Bot. Terms, 235, 1916) translates the 
latter as “ the colour of red lead ; more orange and duller than 
vermilion.” 
As far as my observations go, I should describe the flowers of 
P. dubium (Lamottei ) as pale red with an orange flesh tint, the 
paler forms reminding one of the delicately tinted state of P. 
