Yellow Horned-poppy
Glaucium flavum
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Yellow Horned-poppy is one of the most striking plants of the beach and fore-dune — large, vivid yellow poppy flowers on a glaucous (blue-green waxy) rosette of deeply lobed leaves. The 'horn' is the extraordinary curved seed pod, which can reach 30cm long — the longest seed pod of any European plant. It's a biennial, spending its first year as a leaf rosette and flowering in its second. Despite looking exotic, it's a native coastal plant.
At a Glance
| Order | Ranunculales |
| Family | Papaveraceae |
| Habitat | Sandy beach · Fore-dune · Shingle beach |
| UK population | Locally common on sandy and shingle beaches around the UK |
| Sefton Coast | Present on sandy fore-dune and beach edge at Formby and Ainsdale |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Sandy beach and fore-dune areas at Formby and Ainsdale. Shingle beach edges elsewhere on UK coast.
Identification
Large plant to 60cm. Glaucous (blue-green, waxy) lobed leaves. Large, vivid yellow four-petalled poppy flowers. Extraordinary curved, elongated seed pod to 30cm. Sandy coastal habitat.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Look on the lower dune and beach edge at Formby in July. The yellow flowers and glaucous leaves stand out. The extraordinary seed pod is worth examining closely.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Yellow Horned-poppy have such a long seed pod?
The exceptionally long, curved seed pod (up to 30cm) of Yellow Horned-poppy can contain hundreds of seeds. As the pod dries, it splits and the seeds are scattered by wind. The length and curvature of the pod may help distribute seeds over a wider area. The pod structure is unique among British poppies — most Papaver species have a globular capsule, not a curved horn.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.