The corn poppy is one of the most popular wild flowers in Europe. It was formerly a widespread weed in cultivated fields, with seeds lying dormant for years and sprouting when the soil was turned. The bright red flowers of corn poppy typically bloom from the end of May until August and mark the beginning of early summer.
The corn poppy plant is an annual herb. The branching stems have fine white or purple-red hair all along, especially at the flowering part. The flower stems are quite slender, and hold the solitary and terminal flowers. The bud is hanged upside down and then assumes a normal position just before blossoming. The stems have a white milky sap.