Eastern poppy (Papaver orientale)

Papaver orientalis, also known as Turkish poppy, is an ornamental plant that is popular in horticulture for its beautiful, striking flowers. These flowers come in a variety of colours, from red and pink to orange and white. Eastern poppies are native to the Caucasus region and Turkey, hence their second name - Turkish poppies. Its spectacular flowers grow up to 15 cm in size and dominate the plant, which can reach a height of up to one metre.

Unlike the poppy, which is an important source of medicinally useful alkaloids and from which the seed is extracted for culinary purposes, the Eastern poppy is not so exploited. Its use is primarily aesthetic and it is used as a decorative element in gardens and parks. Eastern poppies are also often found in the florist's shop, their cut flowers being popular for their striking beauty and lasting a long time in a vase. Some varieties of Eastern poppies are also used in home decoration, especially as dried flowers. It is thus a multi-purpose plant that will delight the eye of any nature lover with its beauty.