About Papaver microcarpum DC.
Oreomecon nudicaulis, which has the synonym Papaver nudicaule and is commonly known as the Iceland poppy, is a boreal flowering plant. It is native to subpolar regions of Asia and the Yukon in North America, and is not native to Iceland. It has been introduced to other locations including south Argentina, Colorado, Greenland, and Tibet. Iceland poppies are hardy but short-lived perennials, and they are very often grown as biennials. They produce large, papery, bowl-shaped, lightly fragrant flowers. These flowers grow on hairy, curved stems that reach about 1 foot, or 30 cm, in height, and are surrounded by feathery blue-green foliage that is 1 to 6 inches long. This species was first formally described by botanists in 1759. Wild Iceland poppies bloom with white or yellow flowers, and are hardy for USDA Zones 3a through 10b. All parts of this plant are likely to be poisonous. Like all poppies, it contains toxic alkaloids. Specifically, O. nudicaulis has been confirmed to contain the benzophenanthidine alkaloid chelidonine. It also contains (+)-amurine, (-)-amurensinine, (-)-O-methylthalisopavine, (-)-flavinantine and (-)-amurensine. For cultivation, these plants prefer light, well-drained soil and full sun. They do not tolerate hot weather well, and will die within a single growing season in climates with hot summers. Like all poppies, Iceland poppies have extremely small seeds and long taproots that do not tolerate being disturbed. In cool summer climates with well-drained soils, Iceland poppies can survive for 2 to 3 seasons, and bloom from early spring through fall. Iceland poppies are considered one of the best poppy varieties for cutting, as cut flowers last for several days when placed in a vase.
