opium poppy

     

The opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, is the type of poppy from which opium an many refined opiates such as morphine, thebaine, codeine, papaverine, and noscapine are extracted. The binomial name means, loosely, the "sleep-bringing poppy", referring to its narcotic properties. The seeds are important food items, and contain healthy oils used in salads worldwide. The plant itself is valuable for ornamental purposes.

Trivia about opium poppy

  • Papaver somniferum is the scientific name for this flower, known since ancient times

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