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Volume IV (1988) - Flora of New Zealand Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons
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Papaver somniferum L.

*P. somniferum L., Sp. Pl.  508  (1753)

Annual herb; rosette tufted; stems erect, glabrous, 30-60-(150) cm tall. Lvs glaucous, (2)-4-8-(15) × (0.5)-5-12-(15) cm, the lower cuneate at base and shortly petiolate, the upper sessile and amplexicaul. Lamina ovate-oblong, shallowly pinnatifid and irregularly and coarsely lobed or toothed, glabrous or with a few stiff hairs on midrib and margins. Pedicels to 30 cm long, glabrous or with sparse bristly or soft hairs. Sepals glabrous or hairy, (5)-15-30-(40) × (4)-10-20-(30) mm. Petals usually pink or mauve, rarely white or red, 2-7 × 2-7 cm, usually with large dark blotch near base. Capsule broadly ovoid or obovoid to globose, widest at or above 1/2 way, shortly stipitate, not ribbed, glabrous, (10)-15-40 × (5)-10-40 mm. Stigmatic disc slightly wider than capsule, flat or concave; rays (5)-7-11-(15).

Key

1
Lvs with acute lobes and sharp teeth frequently tipped with a spiny hair, setulose on midrib beneath; capsule obovoid; stigma rays 5-8-(10)
* subsp setigerum
Lvs bluntly dentate or obtusely lobed, glabrous; capsule broadly ovoid or globose; stigma rays (7)-8-12-(15)
* subsp somniferum

N.Z. naturalised plants can be referred to 2 subspp.

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