Question

What are the characteristics and importance of the Papaver somniferum (opium poppy)?

Answer 1

Characteristics

1. Chemically is known to contain morphine.

2. All parts are known to contain milky white latex.

3. Stem, buds and leaves are waxy and have stiff hair.

4. they have basal rosette type of leaves that are deep and largely divided.

5. Bear 2 deciduous sepals and 4 varying colored petals - white to dark red shades.

6. Fruit is a globose capsule with dark black seeds.

Importance

1. Opium and all refined opiates such as morphine, thebaine, codiene, papaverine, and noscapine are extracted from Papver somniferum.

2. The poppies are also used in food, medicine as analgesic and for ornamental (horticulture) purposes.

3. Also prescribed for pains of avriosu types including acute, chronic type, labor pains and myocardial infarction