The botanical reference in Shakespeare's Sonnet 54, line 5 is analyzed. Most editors believe that the 'canker blooms' mentioned in the fifth line of the sonnet refer to the 'wild rose' or 'dog rose,' which were used for distilling rose-water. However, it is argued neither of those roses could have been used for distillation because they are pale in color. It is also proposed that the 'canker blooms' may refer to poppies instead of wild roses.