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The opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, is the type of poppy from which opium and all refined opiates such as morphine are extracted, as well as an important food item. There are many varieties of this poppy species. Colors of the flower vary widely, as do other physical characteristics (number and shape of petals, number of pods, production of morphine, etc.). Possession of any part of Papaver somniferum other than the seed is outlawed in the United States and is listed as a Schedule II controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration.* * However, they are widely grown as ornamentals in various colors, especially around old homesteads. The name means, loosely, the "sleep-bringing poppy", referring to its narcotic properties.
Synonyms Papaver somniferum is a large species of plant, and has sub-groups. Papaver somniferum Paeoniflorum Group (sometimes called Papaver paeoniflorum) is a sub-type of opium poppy whose flowers are highly double, and are grown in many colors. Papaver somniferum Laciniatum Group (sometimes called Papaver laciniatum) is a sub-type of opium poppy whose flowers are highly double and deeply lobed, to the point of looking like a ruffly pompon. Also a strong aphrodisiac. Use as food The seeds of the poppy are widely used as the popular "poppy-seed" found in and on many food items such as bagels, muffins and cakes. The seeds can be pressed to form poppy seed oil, which can be used in cooking, or as a carrier for oil-based paints. Opium poppy seeds contain negligible amounts of narcotics. However, the television show MythBusters demonstrated that one could test positive for narcotics after consuming 4 poppy seed bagels, however, the show Brainiac: Science Abuse proved you could test postive with only 2 poppy seed bagels. This situation was parodied on the show Seinfeld. In India and Turkey opium poppy is known as Khaskhas or Haşhaş (pronounced: "Hashhash") and is considered a highly nutritious food item, mostly added in dough while baking bread, highly recommended for pregnant women and new mothers. Ornamental cultivation Although technically illegal, many seed companies and nurseries grow and sell live plants and seeds in many highly beautiful variations (many without knowing). This is regarded much in the same way as the fact that morning glory seeds contain psychedelic chemicals (and are thus technically illegal) but morning glories are still widely grown for their delicate beauty. As well, the "myth" that the very poppy seeds used on bagels can grow into adult flowering plants, is actually true. The very seeds sold as spices in grocery stores can grow into very gorgeous pink flowers, the pods of which actually contain appreciable quantities of opium. The reason is that opiates are very difficult and commercially infeasbile to synthesize. It is much less expensive to begin with a starter material (ie raw opium). Many countries grow the plants, namely Afghanistan, Turkey and India; some of which rely heavily on the commercial production of the drug as a major source of income. As an additional source of profit, the same seeds are sold in the culinary trade shortly thereafter, making cultivation of the plant a very significant source of income. History The history of the opium poppy predates written history. It probably originated in the Mediterranean area. Images of opium poppies have been found in ancient Sumerian artifacts (ca. 4000 BCE). The opium poppy was also known to the ancient Greeks, from whom it gained its modern name of Opium. In historic contexts from Greece remains have been discovered in proto-geometric contexts at sites such as kalapodi and Kastanas. Opium was used for treating asthma, stomach illnesses, and bad eye sight. The Opium Wars between China and the British Empire took place in the late 1830s when the Chinese attempted to stop the sale of opium by Britain, in China. Many modern writers, particularly in the nineteenth century, have written on the opium poppy and its effects, notably L. Frank Baum with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Thomas de Quincey's Confessions of an English Opium-Eater Photos Image:Illustration Papaver somniferum0.jpg|Opium Poppy from Thomé Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885 Image:Field_of_opium.jpg|A field of opium poppy in Burma. Image:Opium_poppy.jpg|Ornamental poppy at Chatsworth House, UK Image:Crowning_P_Somniferum_topview.jpg|Immature crowning Opium Poppy, top view Enternal links Erowid Poppy Vault | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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