Opium poppy, Breadseed poppy
Papaver somniferum

Family: Papaveraceae

What it is like

An annual plant which grows up to 60-150 cm high. It is 20 cm across. The leaves are coarsely toothed and clasp the stem. They are smooth and undivided. They are wavy. They are blue-green. The flowers are showy. They are cup shaped and red, white or purple. They are on long erect flower stalks. The fruit is a seed pod. It yields a milky sap. The capsule is 2-5 cm wide.

There are 70-100 Papaver species. Opium poppy production is illegal in several countries.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It prefers a rich well drained sandy soil in a sunny position. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Bangladesh, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Myanmar, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Palestine, Romania, SE Asia, Serbia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Thailand, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The seed are eaten raw or cooked. They are used on bread, cakes, rolls, and in soups, stews, rice dishes, curries and salad dressings. The young leaves are edible raw or cooked. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. Caution: The capsule contains several alkaloids and is poisonous but the seeds are not.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds, herb, spice, oil, leaves, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed sown where the plants are to grow.

There are about 2 million seeds in a kg.

Its other names

Local names

Abhini, Abini, Adormidera, Afim, Afiun, Afyon, Afyun, Ahifen, Aphian, Aphim, Aphina, Aphu, Bein, Big-tobacco flower, Biligasgase, Chosa, Dayanhu, Fin, Gasalu, Gashagasha, Hashas, Jar and millet, Kas kas, Kasakasa, Kashkash, Keshi, Khas khas, Khasa, Khasakhasi, Khus-khus, Moonid, Oeillette, Opium flower, Pasto, Posta, Postaka, Trau, Ya pian, Yapianhua, Ying su, Yingsu

Synonyms

Papaver somniferum var. album DC.;