Papaver somniferum var. paeoniflorum is an annual herb, 90–120 cm tall, with glaucous pinnatifid leaves. Inflorescence solitary, flower actinomorphic, fully double, corolla color variable (white to dark pink). Fruit a poricidal capsule, exuding latex containing morphinan alkaloids. Cultivated primarily as an ornamental variant of P. somniferum.