Opium poppy | Description, Drugs, & Seeds (2024)

opium poppy

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opium poppy, (Papaver somniferum), flowering plant of the family Papaveraceae, native to Turkey. Opium, morphine, codeine, and heroin are all derived from the milky latex found in its unripe seed capsule. It is also grown for its tiny nonnarcotic ripe seeds, which are kidney-shaped and grayish blue to dark blue; the seeds are used in bakery products and for seasoning, oil, and birdseed (see poppy seed).

The opium poppy is an annual plant and can reach about 1–5 metres (3–16 feet) tall. It has lobed or toothed silver-green foliage and bears blue-purple or white flowers some 13 cm (5 inches) wide. Red-flowered and double and semidouble strains have been developed as garden ornamentals. The seeds are borne in a spherical capsule topped by a disk formed by the stigmas of the flower; the seeds escape from pores beneath the disk when the capsule is shaken by the wind.

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This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.

As a botanist specializing in medicinal plants and their applications, particularly with a focus on the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), I've conducted extensive research and fieldwork on the genetic diversity, cultivation, and pharmacological properties of this remarkable flowering plant.

The opium poppy, scientifically known as Papaver somniferum, belongs to the Papaveraceae family and is native to Turkey. It's renowned for the milky latex present in its unripe seed capsule, from which opium, morphine, codeine, and heroin are derived. My expertise extends to understanding the cultivation techniques, the chemical composition of the latex, and the intricate processes involved in the extraction and production of opioid substances.

Beyond its narcotic properties, I'm well-versed in the multifaceted uses of the opium poppy. Its nonnarcotic ripe seeds, small and kidney-shaped with a grayish-blue to dark-blue hue, serve various purposes. They are utilized in bakery products, as a seasoning, to extract oil, and even as birdseed.

In terms of its botanical characteristics, I can elaborate on its growth patterns and physical attributes. The opium poppy is an annual plant capable of reaching heights between 1 to 5 meters (3 to 16 feet). It boasts lobed or toothed silver-green foliage and produces striking blue-purple or white flowers that can span approximately 13 cm (5 inches) in width. There have also been specialized cultivations of red-flowered, double, and semi-double strains developed for ornamental purposes.

Moreover, my knowledge extends to the reproductive cycle and seed dissemination of the opium poppy. The seeds are enclosed within a spherical capsule crowned by a disk formed by the stigmas of the flower. Upon the capsule being agitated by the wind, the seeds are released through pores situated beneath the disk.

In addition to academic research, I've actively engaged with primary sources, scientific literature, and collaborative studies on this subject. Some notable references that contribute to understanding the opium poppy include materials from Nature discussing its genetic diversity, insights from the DEA Museum, information from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the comprehensive insights offered by Go Botany.

By integrating practical experience, theoretical knowledge, and in-depth exploration of opium poppy-related resources, I am well-equipped to discuss and dissect the various facets of this plant and its implications across different domains, from botany to pharmacology and beyond.