The Arctic poppy (Oreomecon radicata) is a flowering plant in the poppy family. It may also be referred to as rooted poppy or yellow poppy. Arctic poppies grow in cold climate conditions and are found in Arctic regions of Europe. Arctic poppies have adaptations, such as heliotropism and physical characteristics, which help them survive in the harsh environment they grow in.
Taxonomy Oreomecon radicata was given the scientific name Papaver radicatum in 1770 by Christen Friis Rottbøll. In 2021 it was moved to the genus Oreomecon. Together with its genus it is classified in the family Papaveraceae.
The Flora of North America lists four subspecies: Papaver radicatum subsp. alaskanum (Hultén) J. P. Anderson Papaver radicatum subsp. kluanense (D. Löve) D. F. Murray Papaver radicatum subsp. polare Tolmatchew Papaver radicatum subsp. radicatum
However, none of these are considered valid by Plants of the World Online. Instead, they are considered to be species named Oreomecon alaskana, Oreomecon kluanensis, and Oreomecon polaris. It has synonyms.
Table of Synonyms Name Year Rank Notes Oreomecon radicata var. avkoensis 2024 variety = het. Oreomecon radicata var. faeroensis 2024 variety = het. Oreomecon radicata subsp. hyperborea 2024 subspecies = het. Oreomecon radicata subsp. knabeniana 2024 subspecies = het. Oreomecon radicata var. macrostigma 2024 variety = het. Oreomecon radicata subsp. oeksendalensis 2024 subspecies = het. Oreomecon radicata subsp. ovatiloba 2024 subspecies = het. Oreomecon radicata subsp. relicta 2024 subspecies = het. Oreomecon radicata subsp. stefanssoniana 2024 subspecies = het. Oreomecon radicata var. steindorssoniana 2024 variety = het. Oreomecon radicata subsp. subglobosa 2024 subspecies = het. Papaver nordhagenianum 1955 species = het. Papaver nordhagenianum subsp. faeroense 1962 subspecies = het. Papaver nordhagenianum subsp. islandicum 1955 subspecies = het. Papaver nordhagenianum var. stefanssonii 1950 variety = het. Papaver nudicaule var. hartianum 1909 variety = het. Papaver nudicaule var. latilobatum 1909 variety = het. Papaver nudicaule subsp. radicatum 1905 subspecies ≡ hom. Papaver nudicaule var. radicatum 1821 variety ≡ hom. Papaver nudicaule subsp. relictum 1923 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum 1770 species ≡ hom. Papaver radicatum f. albiflorum 1895 form = het. Papaver radicatum subsp. avkoense 1959 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum subsp. dovrense 1931 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum subsp. faeroense 1923 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum subsp. gjaerevolli 1959 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum f. glabrifolium 1931 form = het. Papaver radicatum subsp. groevudalense 1959 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum var. hispidum 1931 variety = het. Papaver radicatum f. humile 1931 form = het. Papaver radicatum subsp. hyperboreum 1932 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum subsp. intermedium 1959 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum var. intermedium 1932 variety = het. Papaver radicatum f. latifolium 1931 form = het. Papaver radicatum f. lineatum 1931 form = het. Papaver radicatum f. lobatum 1931 form = het. Papaver radicatum subsp. macrostigma 1940 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum var. macrostigma 1932 variety = het. Papaver radicatum f. majus 1931 form = het. Papaver radicatum f. normale 1931 form ≡ hom., not validly publ. Papaver radicatum subsp. oeksendalense 1959 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum subsp. ovatilobum 1923 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum subsp. relictum 1927 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum var. spitzbergense 1955 variety = het. Papaver radicatum subsp. stefanssonii 1959 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum subsp. stefanssonii 2000 subspecies = het., nom. illeg. Papaver radicatum subsp. steindorssonianum 2000 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum subsp. subglobosum 1931 subspecies = het. Papaver radicatum var. typicum ICN, variety Err:502 Papaver relictum 1931 species = het. Papaver relictum subsp. faeroense 1970 subspecies = het. Papaver relictum subsp. hyperboreum 1975 subspecies = het. Papaver relictum var. islandicum 1970 variety = het. Papaver relictum var. stefanssonii 1970 variety = het. Papaver relictum var. steindorssonianum 1970 variety = het. Papaver stefanssonianum 1955 species = het. Papaver steindorssonianum 1955 species = het. Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym; = heterotypic synonym
Appearance Arctic poppy leaves grow up to 12 cm long. The leaves are green and lanceolate in shape. The Arctic poppy is known for either their white or yellow flowers; these flowers can grow up to 6.5 cm in diameter. The Arctic poppy stems range from 10 to 15 cm in length. Arctic poppies produce spherical or oval seed pods that are covered by fine hairs.
Arctic poppy petals are covered by black hairs, which along with their cup-shaped petals help to insulate the poppy by trapping heat inside the flower. Hair-like structures are also found covering the stem and sepals of the Arctic poppy. These hairs are used to retain heat and act as insulation against the cold, windy climate conditions that Arctic poppies grow in.
Distribution The Arctic poppy grows primarily in gravelly, rocky, well-drained soils, but can also grow in meadows. The poppies are circumpolar in distribution, and are found in Arctic and alpine zones within Europe, North America and Asia. In 2023, the Arctic poppy was the northernmost flowering plant in the world, with a northern range limit on Kaffeklubben Island at a latitude of 83°40'N.
Pollination The Arctic poppy, like many species of flowers, relies on pollination for reproduction. In the early spring, when snow starts to melt, the Arctic poppy blooms. Around the same time, Arctic bumblebees (Bombus polaris) begin their pollination process, making the Arctic bumblebee the main pollinator of Arctic poppies. As spring transitions to summer, bumblebee pollination begins to decline, and flies take over the place of the bumblebee's pollination of Arctic poppies.
Toxicity Arctic poppies contain alkaloids throughout the entirety of the flower structure, from the stem to the leaves. These alkaloids protect and assist the survival of the Arctic poppy in a number of ways. When Arctic poppies are consumed, the alkaloids within the poppy can affect the central nervous system, protein synthesis, enzyme activity, and membrane transport of the predator. Because of these effects, the Arctic poppy is not a direct food source for many species. Alkaloids are known to act as a growth regulator and can aid in the plant's reproduction rates. Alkaloids can even act as herbicides, which inhibit the growth of competing plants. They also act as substitutes for important minerals, like calcium and potassium, that can be difficult for the Arctic poppies to receive in their environment.
See also The Svalbard poppy, another poppy of the extreme north. The coat of arms of Nunavut, in which the Arctic poppy appears on.
References Citations
Sources Web sources
External links