Africa: Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia; Asia: Cyprus; Europe: Greece, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain
Papaver somniferum is an annual plant up to 120 cm tall in the Papaveraceae family. Its leaves are 10 to 20 cm long with bases clasping the stem. The showy white to red or purple flower petals are 4 to 6 cm long, generally with dark spots at the base. The distinctive fruits are round and 3 to 5 cm long.
Widely available as a garden plant and crop.