Opium Poppy

Papaver somniferum

Papaveraceae Family

The beautiful flowers of P. somniferum can be red, pink, purple, or white. They are cultivated for seeds, for opium, and for decoration.

Poppy Seeds

Poppy seeds, the only non-poisonous part of the plant, are used in cooking poppy seed cakes and poppy seed bagels. Poppy seeds can also be sprinkled over bread and rolls before baking. Roasted poppy seeds add a subtle flavor to yogurt dressings and light sauces. An olive oil and lemon juice dressing with crushed garlic and roasted poppy seeds is a light dressing for steamed vegetables or salads. It can be sweetened, as desired, with honey.

Opium

Opium is obtained from the dried form of the liquid substance (latex) extracted from the tissues of the outer walls of the seed pod, or capsule. It contains an assortment of alkaloids, such as morphine, codeine, narcotine, and papaverine, which are used as narcotics by the medical profession. P. somniferum is sedative, narcotic, diaphoretic, and antispasmodic.

Decoration

If the seed heads are left on the plant, they will eventually dry out with exposure to wind and sun. They can be picked when grey-green or brown and placed as a stunning addition to a dried flower arrangement.