Welsh poppy

The Welsh poppy (Meconopsis cambrica) is easily distinguished from the common poppy by having yellow rather than red flowers. There are other differences, such as the seed capsules being differently shaped, but they are not enough to justify the botanical name “Meconopsis”, which means “looking like a poppy”.

Despite its name, the Welsh poppy is not restricted to Wales, being also found in southwest England and parts of Europe. It has been cultivated as a garden flower and may therefore be found in places outside its normal range, due to garden specimens having cast their seed more widely and produced wild plants. It prefers damp shady woods and rocky places. 

The plant separates into many branches at the base, with the leaves also splitting into numerous leaflets. The Welsh poppy thus has a bushy appearance, growing up to 24 inches (60 centimetres) in height. The relatively small yellow flowers, which do not have dark centres, have four petals. They appear in the months of June and July. 

The seed capsules, as noted above, are slightly different from other poppies in that they release seed from open flaps rather than “pepperboxes”.

© John Welford