Papaver umbonatum

Papaver umbonatum is a species of flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae. This species is also known more commonly as bossed or Semitic poppy. It is often misidentified as Papaver rhoeas, since they are very similar in form and appearance. Its native range includes the rocky plains of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and the Palestinian Territories.

In the Levant

Papaver umbonatum grows throughout the Levant, from Syria and Jordan to Israel and the Mediterranean coast. Papaver umbonatum has a hairy and bristly stem, and an unpleasant smell. The flower is pollinated by beetles from the Glaphyridae family, which are unique among insects in their ability to detect red color. Contrary to popular belief, the poppy is not a protected plant in Israel.