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
-
Opium poppies are erect annuals in the Papaveraceae family. They have gray-green leaves, showy flowers, and a milky juice that exudes from the plant when cut. The milky latex has compounds in it that concentrate at higher temperatures and can be used to create opioid medicines.
Although it is illegal to grow opium poppies in North Carolina, it is legal to sell and buy the seeds. Garden poppies are a different species and may or may not contain opium alkaloids
Take care that pets and children do not sample poppies as they are poisonous. Opium poppy reseeds and may spread easily in southern gardens.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Flowers Galore
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Jimi's Snowflakes'
Striking white blooms easy to grow
- 'Jimi's Snowflakes'
- 'Jimi's Snowflakes'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Jimi's Snowflakes'
Striking white blooms easy to grow
- 'Jimi's Snowflakes'
- 'Jimi's Snowflakes'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Papaver
- Species:
- somniferum
- Family:
- Papaveraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Opium, morphine codeine, and heroin are made from the milky sap of the unripe 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 bees, hover flies.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Poppy seeds used as the topping of bread are safe.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Good Dried
- Showy
- 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. Seed pods are showy and are often used in dried arrangements.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- 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 solitary terminal, with 5 or more showy petals.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are gray green, alternate, simple, clasping, toothed.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems contain white latex sap
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
