Papaver rhoeas (Corn Poppy)

There are 70 to 100 species of Papaver which are found in cold regions of Eurasia, Africa and North America. The species from my garden pictured below is commonly known as the corn poppy. It is a perennial.

It is thought to have been a cultural symbol, probably Minoan Crete, because a figurine known as the poppy goddess was found at a Minoan sanctuary in Crete. People believed they would get a bountiful crop if poppies grew in their field, hence the name 'corn poppy (taken from Wikipedia)