Glaucium flavum - Yellow Horned-poppy - (Papaveraceae)

This attractive member of the Poppy family is localised but fairly widespread on the coasts of the UK and Ireland. It is also found on the coasts of northern Europe and as far south as the Mediterranean coastal regions. Occasionally plants of Glaucium flavum will pop up inland, but it is nearly always in places which would have been right beside the sea and where the land has subsequently been 'reclaimed' and then disturbed causing the seeds to germinate and grow.

Yellow Horned-poppy

Apart from its stunning bright yellow flowers the plant is characterised by the elongated fruits which can be up to 30cm in length - the so-called 'horns'. Yellow Horned-poppy is poisonous, and when the stems are cut or broken a yellow juice seeps out. It is a native of Britain, but is also frequently cultivated and grown in gardens.

A close-up of Yellow Horned-poppy

A close-up picture of the flower and 'horn' of Glaucium flavum

Yellow Horned-poppy flowers from June to September and the plants initally form clumps of blue-grey leaves on shingle and sandy beaches.

The pictures on this page were taken at Cemaes Bay Nature Reserve on Anglesey, North Wales, in August.