{{Short description|European plant species in the poppy family}} {{Speciesbox | image = Arctic Poppy imported from iNaturalist photo 41380710 on 1 January 2024.jpg | image2 = Svalbard Poppy (Papaver dahlianum).jpg | genus = Oreomecon | species = radicata | authority = ([[Rottb.]]) Banfi, Bartolucci, J.-M.Tison & Galasso | synonyms_ref = | synonyms = {{Species list | Papaver nudicaule var. radicatum | | Papaver nudicaule subsp. radicatum | | Papaver radicatum | }} }}
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]].{{sfn|POWO|2025d}}
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]]''.{{sfnm|1a1=POWO|1y=2025a|2a1=POWO|2y=2025b|3a1=POWO|3y=2025c}} It has {{table row counter|id=Synonyms}} [[Synonym (botany)|synonyms]].{{sfn|POWO|2025d}}
{|class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" id="Synonyms" |+ class="nowrap" | Table of Synonyms ! Name ! Year ! Rank ! Notes |- | ''Oreomecon radicata'' var. ''avkoensis'' {{small|(Knaben) Elvebakk & Bjerke}} | 2024 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Oreomecon radicata'' var. ''faeroensis'' {{small|(C.E.Lundstr.) Elvebakk & Bjerke}} | 2024 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Oreomecon radicata'' subsp. ''hyperborea'' {{small|(Nordh.) Elvebakk & Bjerke}} | 2024 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Oreomecon radicata'' subsp. ''knabeniana'' {{small|Elvebakk & Bjerke}} | 2024 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Oreomecon radicata'' var. ''macrostigma'' {{small|(Nordh.) Elvebakk & Bjerke}} | 2024 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Oreomecon radicata'' subsp. ''oeksendalensis'' {{small|(Knaben) Elvebakk & Bjerke}} | 2024 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Oreomecon radicata'' subsp. ''ovatiloba'' {{small|(Tolm.) Elvebakk & Bjerke}} | 2024 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Oreomecon radicata'' subsp. ''relicta'' {{small|(C.E.Lundstr.) Elvebakk & Bjerke}} | 2024 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Oreomecon radicata'' subsp. ''stefanssoniana'' {{small|(Á.Löve) Elvebakk & Bjerke}} | 2024 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Oreomecon radicata'' var. ''steindorssoniana'' {{small|(Á.Löve) Elvebakk & Bjerke}} | 2024 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Oreomecon radicata'' subsp. ''subglobosa'' {{small|(Nordh.) Elvebakk & Bjerke}} | 2024 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver nordhagenianum'' {{small|Á.Löve}} | 1955 |data-sort-value=A | species |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver nordhagenianum'' subsp. ''faeroense'' {{small|(C.E.Lundstr.) Á.Löve}} | 1962 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver nordhagenianum'' subsp. ''islandicum'' {{small|Á.Löve}} | 1955 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver nordhagenianum'' var. ''stefanssonii'' {{small|Á.Löve}} | 1950 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver nudicaule'' var. ''hartianum'' {{small|Fedde}} | 1909 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver nudicaule'' var. ''latilobatum'' {{small|Fedde}} | 1909 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver nudicaule'' subsp. ''radicatum'' {{small|(Rottb.) Fedde}} | 1905 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=A | ≡ hom. |- | ''Papaver nudicaule'' var. ''radicatum'' {{small|(Rottb.) DC.}} | 1821 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=A | ≡ hom. |- | ''Papaver nudicaule'' subsp. ''relictum'' {{small|C.E.Lundstr.}} | 1923 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' {{small|Rottb.}} | 1770 |data-sort-value=A | species |data-sort-value=A | ≡ hom. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' f. ''albiflorum'' {{small|Hartz}} | 1895 |data-sort-value=F | form |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''avkoense'' {{small|Knaben}} | 1959 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''dovrense'' {{small|Nordh.}} | 1931 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''faeroense'' {{small|C.E.Lundstr.}} | 1923 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''gjaerevolli'' {{small|Knaben}} | 1959 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' f. ''glabrifolium'' {{small|Serg.}} | 1931 |data-sort-value=F | form |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''groevudalense'' {{small|Knaben}} | 1959 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' var. ''hispidum'' {{small|Serg.}} | 1931 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' f. ''humile'' {{small|Serg.}} | 1931 |data-sort-value=F | form |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''hyperboreum'' {{small|Nordh.}} | 1932 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''intermedium'' {{small|(Nordh.) Knaben}} | 1959 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' var. ''intermedium'' {{small|Nordh.}} | 1932 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' f. ''latifolium'' {{small|Serg.}} | 1931 |data-sort-value=F | form |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' f. ''lineatum'' {{small|Serg.}} | 1931 |data-sort-value=F | form |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' f. ''lobatum'' {{small|Serg.}} | 1931 |data-sort-value=F | form |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''macrostigma'' {{small|(Nordh.) Nordh.}} | 1940 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' var. ''macrostigma'' {{small|Nordh.}} | 1932 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' f. ''majus'' {{small|Serg.}} | 1931 |data-sort-value=F | form |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' f. ''normale'' {{small|Serg.}} | 1931 |data-sort-value=F | form |data-sort-value=A | ≡ hom., [[not validly publ.]] |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''oeksendalense'' {{small|Knaben}} | 1959 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''ovatilobum'' {{small|Tolm.}} | 1923 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''relictum'' {{small|(C.E.Lundstr.) Tolm.}} | 1927 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' var. ''spitzbergense'' {{small|Á.Löve}} | 1955 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''stefanssonii'' {{small|Knaben}} | 1959 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''stefanssonii'' {{small|(Á.Löve) Jonsell & Ö.Nilsson}} | 2000 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het., [[nom. illeg.]] |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''steindorssonianum'' {{small|(Á.Löve) Knaben ex Ö.Nilsson}} | 2000 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' subsp. ''subglobosum'' {{small|Nordh.}} | 1931 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver radicatum'' var. ''typicum'' {{small|Serg.}} | ICN, |data-sort-value=D | variety Err:502 |- | ''Papaver relictum'' {{small|(C.E.Lundstr.) Nordh.}} | 1931 |data-sort-value=A | species |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver relictum'' subsp. ''faeroense'' {{small|(C.E.Lundstr.) Á.Löve}} | 1970 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver relictum'' subsp. ''hyperboreum'' {{small|(Nordh.) Á.Löve & D.Löve}} | 1975 |data-sort-value=B | subspecies |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver relictum'' var. ''islandicum'' {{small|(Á.Löve) Á.Löve}} | 1970 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver relictum'' var. ''stefanssonii'' {{small|Á.Löve}} | 1970 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver relictum'' var. ''steindorssonianum'' {{small|(Á.Löve) Á.Löve}} | 1970 |data-sort-value=D | variety |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver stefanssonianum'' {{small|Á.Löve}} | 1955 |data-sort-value=A | species |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- | ''Papaver steindorssonianum'' {{small|Á.Löve}} | 1955 |data-sort-value=A | species |data-sort-value=B | = het. |- !colspan=4 style="text-align: left;" | 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Papaver radicatum (Arctic poppy) |url=https://florafinder.org/Species/Papaver_radicatum.php |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=florafinder.org}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite journal |year=1919 |title=Reviewed work: Botany of the Living Plant., F. O. Bower |journal=The New Phytologist |volume=18 |issue=8 |pages=259–261 |jstor=2428079}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Atkin |first1=Owen K. |last2=Villar |first2=Rafael |last3=Cummins |first3=W. Raymond |year=1993 |title=The ability of several high arctic plant species to utilize nitrate nitrogen under field conditions |journal=Oecologia |volume=96 |issue=2 |pages=239–245 |bibcode=1993Oecol..96..239A |doi=10.1007/bf00317737 |pmid=28313420}}</ref>
==Distribution== The Arctic poppy grows primarily in gravelly, rocky, well-drained soils, but can also grow in meadows.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=White |date=2024-02-25 |title=Arctic Poppy (Papaver Radicatum) - Arctic Wildlife Knowledge |url=https://arcticwildlifeknowledge.com/arctic-poppy-papaver-radicatum/ |access-date=2024-11-06 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The poppies are [[Circumpolar distribution|circumpolar]] in distribution, and are found in Arctic and alpine zones within Europe, North America and Asia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arctic Poppy, (Papaver radicatum) Varanger peninsular, Northern Norway {{!}} UNEP/GRID-Arendal - Environmental Photo Library |url=http://www.grida.no/photolib/detail/arctic-poppy-papaver-radicatum-varanger-peninsular-northern-norway_c889 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602044627/http://grida.no/photolib/detail/arctic-poppy-papaver-radicatum-varanger-peninsular-northern-norway_c889 |archive-date=2012-06-02 |website=www.grida.no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Papaver radicatum in Flora of North America @ efloras.org |url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500854 |access-date=2020-10-27 |website=www.efloras.org}}</ref> In 2023, the Arctic poppy was the northernmost flowering plant in the world,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northernmost flower |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/northernmost-plant-moss-arctic-poppy?loggedin=true&rnd=1715183731184 |website=[[National Geographic Society]] | date=8 May 2024 }}</ref> with a northern range limit on [[Kaffeklubben Island]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sagax Groenland 2007 |url=http://www.sagaxexpeditions.com/2US%20-%203.4%20Photos-Videos.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200751/http://www.sagaxexpeditions.com/2US%20-%203.4%20Photos-Videos.html |archive-date=2013-10-29 |access-date=2010-04-13}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=packerpedia - Bio Arctic Bumblebee |url=http://packerpedia.wiki.packer.edu/Bio+Arctic+Bumblebee |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713050358/http://packerpedia.wiki.packer.edu/Bio+Arctic+Bumblebee |archive-date=2012-07-13 |accessdate=2015-11-06 |website=packerpedia.wiki.packer.edu}}</ref>
==Toxicity== Arctic poppies contain [[alkaloid]]s throughout the entirety of the flower structure, from the stem to the leaves.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Adibah |first1=Kamarul Zaman Munirah |last2=Azzreena |first2=Mohamad Azzeme |last3=Adibah |first3=Kamarul Zaman Munirah |last4=Azzreena |first4=Mohamad Azzeme |date=2019 |title=Plant toxins: alkaloids and their toxicities |url=https://gsconlinepress.com/journals/gscbps/content/plant-toxins-alkaloids-and-their-toxicities |journal=GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences |language=en |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=021–029 |doi=10.30574/gscbps.2019.6.2.0003 |issn=2581-3250|doi-access=free }}</ref> 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 biosynthesis|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.<ref name=":1" /> Alkaloids are known to act as a growth regulator and can aid in the plant's reproduction rates.<ref name=":1" /> Alkaloids can even act as herbicides, which inhibit the growth of competing plants.<ref name=":1" /> 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.<ref name=":1" />
==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=== {{Reflist}}
===Sources=== ;Web sources {{Refbegin}} * {{Cite POWO |last1=POWO |date=2025a |id=77336458-1 |title=''Oreomecon alaskana'' (Hultén) Krivenko |access-date=18 December 2025}} * {{Cite POWO |last1=POWO |date=2025b |id=77332863-1 |title=''Oreomecon kluanensis'' (D.Löve) Galasso, Banfi & Bartolucci |access-date=18 December 2025}} * {{Cite POWO |last1=POWO |date=2025c |id=77336610-1 |title=''Oreomecon polaris'' (Tolm.) Krivenko |access-date=18 December 2025}} * {{Cite POWO |last1=POWO |date=2025d |id=77307945-1 |title=''Oreomecon radicata'' (Rottb.) Banfi, Bartolucci, J.-M.Tison & Galasso |access-date=18 December 2025}} {{Refend}}
==External links== *{{commons category-inline|Oreomecon radicata}}
{{Taxonbar|from1=Q119150949|from2=Q149477}}
[[Category:Papaver|radicatum]] [[Category:Flora of the Arctic]] [[Category:Plants described in 1770]]