Corn Poppy, Papaver rhoeus, an Introduced Beauty That Can Become a Pest

This is an example of Papaver rhoeas, the corn poppy. This is an introduced plant in the US and Canada. This member of the Papaveraceae (poppy) family has become a crop pest in some situations. It resembles the native Texas Prickly Poppy, Argemone aurantiaca in terms of its stems and leaves but the white flower with the yellow center makes the distinction simple.

This specimen is boldly red with darker central spots on the petals. Not all corn poppies possess the darker center and instead may be uniform in petal color. Found this specimen in west Texas near the Caprock Canyons State Park.