Papaver somniferum
Opium poppy
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The Papaver somniferum plant species is found in Europe to Asia, though the original habitat is obscure. A rare casual in Britain. It is a member of the Papaveraceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Opium poppy.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses
 
Latin Name:  Papaver somniferum
Common Name:  Opium poppy
Family:  Papaveraceae
Author:  L.
 
Known Hazards:  This plant contains a number of very toxic compounds, many of which are extracted and used as pain killers etc in medicine. They are also used to make various highly addictive narcotic drugs[7, 10, 19, 65]. However, in the cooler climate of Britain these compounds are not formed in sufficient quantity to make their extraction worthwhile. There are no toxins in the seeds[10, 46, 65].
 
Mature Height:  0.6   Mature Width:  0.2
 
Habitat:  Not known in a truly wild situation.

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses
 

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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