Poppies. Collection of poppy flowers Papaver sp. (family: Papaveraceae), an annual herb. The reproductive structures are located at the heart of each poppy flower. In the centre is the large compound ovary (green) topped with pollen-catching stigmas. The ovary will develop into the seed capsule. Surrounding this are the yellow male stamens. Pollen is released from anthers at the top of each stamen to be picked up by the flower's insect pollinators, usually bees. Poppies are cultivated both for their beauty and as a source of opium.