Some suggestions on the geographical origin of the central, west and north European synanthropic species of Papaver L.

Papaver rhoeas, P. dubium subsp. dubium and subsp. lecoqii, P. argemone subsp. argemone and P. hybridum are considered to be introduced in central, western and northern Europe. An analysis of the geographical distribution of the closest relatives of these five taxa leads to hypotheses on their geographical origin. It is suggested that P. rhoeas originates from the eastern border of the Mediterranean, where it might have differentiated only under human influence. The origin of P. dubium subsp. lecoqii is suggested to lie in S.E. Europe or west Anatolia, and that of subsp. dubium in S.E. central Europe. Papaver argemone subsp. argemone might have differentiated from two related subspecies in west Anatolia. No suggestions can be made with respect to P. hybridum, which is taxonomically isolated. The assumptions necessary for hypotheses on the geographical origin of synanthropically widespread taxa are briefly discussed.