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It is the first time that I have seen specimens of the sad poppy in the orchard of the Pedralbes monastery in Barcelona, ??where I have prepared this photographic report for La Vanguardia’s Readers’ Photos.
It is the Papaver hybridum variety, but why is it known as the sad poppy? Well, to begin with, it is smaller than the classic poppy, as can be seen in this comparative image.
In addition, it is somewhat disparagingly considered a ruderal plant, a name that comes from the Latin ruderis, which means “debris.” It has the capacity to develop in very poor, unfavorable or botanically devastated places. They usually appear in habitats that have been greatly altered by human action, such as: roadsides, abandoned crop fields or urban areas.
Its four petals are an intense maroon color and have striking blue stamen antennae, which makes it different from the others, like the story of the ugly duckling, although the truth is that it is a very beautiful flower, TRUE?
Another element that attracts attention is its capsule covered with rigid hairs (mushrooms) directed upwards, which we can also see in detail in this photographic report.
This poppy, although it is very common in the Iberian Peninsula, is considered invasive in some countries and is considered a poisonous flower, so no one should ever think of putting it in their mouth.
