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 nudicaule or Iceland Poppy as it is commonly known is a hardy perennial or biennial native to the arctic regions of North America, and extending eastward in cooler climates. The silky petals range in color from yellow, white, pinkish-coral, and orange. The Iceland Poppy has the most radiant white, yellow or orange flowers that are individually isolated on an upright hairy stem, producing dazzling splashes of color when planted in mass. Iceland Poppy makes superb cut flowers lasting up to a week if the flowers are cut in bud and the stalk tip scalded in boiling water before being placed in a vase. The plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and birds.