Opium Poppy Papaver somniferum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- pah-PAY-ver som-NIH-fer-um
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Erect annual with milky juice; leaves alternate, simple, clasping, toothed; flowers terminal, with 5-more showy petals (white, pink, red, or purple); fruit a capsule with an expanded disc at the top and over small holes through which the minute seeds are dispersed.
In landscapes, occasionally in flower gardens, it is illegal to cultivate opium poppy. The garden poppies are a different species and may or may not contain opium alkaloids
Although it is illegal to grow opium poppies in North Carolina, it is legal to sell and buy the seeds. Take care that pets and children do not sample poppies as they are poisonous. Opium poppy reseeds and may spread in southern gardens. A "pass-along" plant of great beauty.
HIGHLY TOXIC MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Papaver
- Species:
- somniferum
- Family:
- Papaveraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Opium is made from the milky sap of the fruit capsules.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Distribution:
- Illegally planted, sometimes persisting in old gardens
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bee hover fly.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Poppy seeds used as the topping of bread are safe.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit a capsule with an expanded disc at the top and over small holes through which the minute seeds are dispersed
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers terminal, with 5 or more showy petals.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- leaves alternate, simple, clasping, toothed
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
