Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Papaver somniferum'
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| Common Names: |
Poppy, Opium Poppy, Corn Poppy
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| Key Name: |
Poppy
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| Parts Used: |
Seeds, latex, petals
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| Sister Plants: |
Papaver rhoeas, Papaver orientale, Eschscholzia californica
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| Comments: |
Annual herb valued for seeds and latex; attracts pollinators; pollen color dark gray as noted; thrives in well-drained soils
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Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Annual herb (1-5 ft), erect stem with milky sap, lobed leaves, large showy flowers, capsule fruit; pollen color dark gray
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| Stem: |
Erect, branched, green with white sap, 30-150 cm
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| Leaves: |
Lobed, 4-15 cm, serrated, gray-green
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| Flowers: |
Large showy flowers, 5-10 cm, white, pink, red, or purple, blooming May-July
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| Fruit: |
Ovoid capsule, 2-5 cm, containing numerous seeds
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| Taste: |
Nutty (seeds), bitter (latex)
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| Odour: |
Mild, floral scent
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| Root: |
Taproot, shallow
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| Image URL: |
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Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Native to Eastern Mediterranean, Western Asia; cultivated globally
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| Cultivation: |
Full sun, well-drained soil; sow seeds in spring; space 6-12 inches apart
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| Harvest: |
Seeds and latex: Summer (June-July); petals: during bloom
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Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Analgesic, sedative, antispasmodic
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| Medical Uses: |
Latex for pain relief, coughs (opium derivatives); seeds for nutrition
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| Constituents: |
Morphine, codeine, thebaine, papaverine
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| Solvents: |
Water, alcohol (tincture), ether
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| Dosage: |
Seeds: 1-2 tsp daily; Latex: Prescription only
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| Administration: |
Internal: Tincture, extract (prescription); External: Poultice
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| Formulas: |
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| Contra Indications: |
Highly regulated; toxic in excess; avoid without medical supervision
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| Preparation: |
Seeds: 1-2 tsp daily; Latex: Prescription only
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| Chinese: |
No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine Not likley true
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| Veterinary: |
Used for pain relief in livestock (veterinary supervision)
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| Homeopathic: |
Used homeopathically for insomnia
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Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
Yes
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| Pollinator: |
honeybees, native bees, early pollinators
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| Pollen: |
Yes
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| Pollen Notes: |
Pollen (dark gray) attracts bees, some self-pollination
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| Nectar: |
Yes
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| Nectar Notes: |
Nectar-rich, attracts honeybees, native bees, early pollinators
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Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
Ornamental, dye, oil production
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| Culinary Uses: |
Seeds in baking, oil for cooking
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| History: |
Cultivated since 3400 BC in Mesopotamia; opium trade since antiquity
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| Reference: |
1,
'herbalist1',
'Herbal Community',
|
| URL: |
https://usbm.ca/ency
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| Share: |
Public
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