Papaver is a genus of 70 to 100 species of frost-tolerant annuals, biennials, and perennials native to temperate and cold regions of Eurasia, Africa and North America. It is the type genus of the poppy family, Papaveraceae.

Papaver aculeatum commonly known as Bristle Poppy or South African Poppy is a relatively rare annual poppy from South Africa, and the only poppy originating from the Southern hemisphere. The plants have stiff hairs on the stems and papery orange to salmon-pink flowers in midsummer. Bristle poppies grow to a height of 60-100cm and look best grown together in groups. They can be grown in borders and in wilder parts of the garden. The Bristle Poppy does best in sun and well-drained soil.