Glaucium

Glaucium is a genus of flowering plants in the poppy family, Papaveraceae. The genus name comes from the Greek word "glaukos," meaning "bluish-gray," referring to the glaucous, or waxy, coating on the leaves and stems of many species. Plants in this genus are commonly known as horned poppies, due to the characteristic long, slender fruit pods.

There are typically considered to be around two to four species within the Glaucium genus, though taxonomic classifications can vary. The most widely known species is Glaucium flavum, the yellow horned poppy, which is native to coastal areas of Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. Other species include Glaucium corniculatum and Glaucium leiocarpum.

Glaucium species are generally herbaceous annuals or biennials that thrive in sandy or rocky soils, often found in coastal dunes, cliffs, and disturbed ground. They typically produce bright yellow, orange, or sometimes reddish-orange flowers. The leaves are usually deeply lobed and have a distinctive powdery surface. The fruit is an elongated capsule, often curved, that splits open to release numerous small seeds.

Some species of Glaucium have been used in traditional medicine, though their efficacy and safety are not always well-established. The plant contains alkaloids, similar to other members of the Papaveraceae family, but it is not typically cultivated for opium production like some other poppies. Horned poppies are sometimes used as ornamental plants in gardens, particularly in coastal or rock garden settings, valued for their striking flowers and architectural seed pods.