Poppies (Papaver)

Poppies (Papaver) have a wide distribution, but their likely geographical location or native region is **Eurasia**.

Here’s a breakdown:

* **Eurasia:** The genus *Papaver* is native to Eurasia, with a significant concentration of species in the Mediterranean region, Europe, and Asia.
* **Mediterranean Region:** Many poppy species, including the opium poppy (*Papaver somniferum*), are believed to have originated in the Mediterranean.
* **Other Regions:** While originating in Eurasia, various poppy species have naturalized and are cultivated in other parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and Africa.

Therefore, while you can find poppies in many places today, their ancestral home is undoubtedly Eurasia, particularly the Mediterranean.