Poppies

Poppies are flowering plants in the Papaveraceae family. They include several species, many grown for their attractive flowers. The best known is the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, from which narcotic latex can be obtained. Other poppies, such as Papaver rhoeas and Papaver orientale, are commonly cultivated as ornamentals.

Most poppies are annuals or short-lived perennials with lobed or finely divided leaves and tall, slender stems. Flowers typically have four petals and a short stalk, and their colors range from red and orange to pink, white, and purple. A central column of dark anthers sits above a rounded seed capsule that matures to release seeds when dry.

A white latex oozes from the seed pod of many poppies when cut, and this latex contains alkaloids such as morphine, codeine, and thebaine in the opium poppy. Those compounds have long been used in medicine and, in regulated contexts, for analgesics. Ornamental poppies are not used for drug production.

Geographically, poppies originated in temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North Africa and are now naturalized and cultivated worldwide. They prefer well-drained soils, full sun, and disturbance-prone habitats such as fields, roadsides, and gardens.

Uses and symbolism: Poppy seeds are edible and widely used in baking and cooking. Remembrance poppies, especially the red Papaver rhoeas-derived form, are symbols of military remembrance in several countries. Poppies have also appeared in art and literature as motifs of sleep, death, or consolation.

Regulation and safety: The cultivation of opium poppy is regulated or prohibited in many jurisdictions due to its narcotic potential. Poppy seeds may contain trace amounts of morphine or codeine, which can affect drug testing in some cases.