The Long-headed Poppy is an annual and is very similar to the Common Poppy (P. rhoeas), but the petals do not tend to have the black bases. The main difference is the shape of their fruit capsules, as the name suggests they are elongated, whereas P. rhoeas has more rounded ones. All parts of the plant are poisonous and the sap may cause skin irritation.
The deeply lobed, glaucous leaves are covered in hairs arranged as a basal rosette with a few on the flower stalks. As the seedheads mature the basal leaves die away.
The red flowers appear from early to late summer, singly on tall, hairy stems. They are self-pollinated, also by Bees and Hoverflies, lasting for only a few days before the delicate petals fall to reveal the fruit capsule. The tiny black seeds are dispersed from the mature, brown capsule through openings in the top as it is disturbed by the wind or passing animals.
Weedkillers to use:-
A residual herbicide should prevent germination on paths.
Paraquat, Diquat contact action gives an immediate knock-down, so it should not have time to set seed, if caught in time.

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