They are poppy seed heads and will be filled with millions of seeds, which can, of course, be used in cooking

They are poppy seed pods.

They have already dropped their seed by the looks of them.

The holes have opened.

The seeds fall out when shaken.

As to which of the many types of poppies, I have no idea, the pods all look the same.

Somniferum and paeonyflorum varieties are edible and you don't know what variety these are so its best to just plant the seeds and not eat them!

Hi, I think these are P somniferum, but I would still not eat the seeds, Derek.

How can you tell Derek, they all look so similar to me.

Hi Sue, the leaves on these is less 'ferny' looking, more rounded and waxy, there is no way of telling by the seed pod alone, Derek.

Thank you Derek. I have some huge orange annual ones with glaucous waxy leaves - could they be somniferum then? I thought they were small ones.

Hi Sue, yes they sou d like P somniferum, they grow to about 4ft, with a spread of about 12 inches, Derek.

That's interesting, I had no idea. I don't bake with poppy seeds anyway as they usually just fall off poppy seed bread when its cut, but its nice to know.