The poppy usually only attracts attention when its bright red flowers appear at the edge of the field or in the garden. But the wild poppy can also be easily recognized by its growth habit and the characteristic leaves.

The leaves of the poppy are edible and can be used to refine salads

What do the leaves of the poppy look like?

The leaves of the poppy are bristly and rough, as are the stems of this plant. They are single to double feathered and about 15 cm long. The leaf sections are sharply serrated or roughly incised, the shape is lanceolate.

Are the poppy leaves edible?

Poppy leaves are edible in not too large quantities. In particular, use the young leaves before the flowering period begins. You can use it to cook a vegetable similar to spinach. Sweated shallots and some cream are recommended to refine the taste.

When raw, the leaves of the poppy taste similar to cucumbers with a hint of hazelnut. They are suitable for preparing a wild herb salad or for refining green salads.

What happens when you eat large amounts of corn poppy leaves?

Like the other parts of the plant, the leaves of the poppy are slightly poisonous in large quantities. They contain various alkaloids, tannins and mucilage. The largest proportion of toxins are found in the milk-like plant sap. Eating too much can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, restlessness and fatigue. Grazing animals such as horses, cows or sheep should be kept away from poppies.

The most important thing about the corn poppy leaves:

  • bristly and rough
  • lanceolate shape
  • single to doubly feathered
  • about 15 cm long
  • divided into either sharply sawn or roughly incised sections
  • young leaves edible (before flowering)
  • cucumber-like taste, towards hazelnut
  • large amounts slightly toxic

tips and tricks

Use the fresh young leaves for a wild herb salad or as a seasoning for a green salad and let yourself be surprised by the taste of cucumber and hazelnut.

Category:

Herbs