Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Poppyseed and relatives
PAPAVERACEAE
The majority of species in the poppy family are herbaceous. Plants are characterized by their
milk-like sap, an emulsion of a watery fluid and latex that usually contains toxic alkaloids.
Depending upon the species, other substances may also be present, such as morphine in
Papaver somniferum
(the epithet means “sleep-inducing”). Poppy is therefore also a pharma-
cological and drug plant. Only very few poppies, like the California poppy (
Eschscholzia
californica
), have no such sap; the sap of greater celandine or tetterwort (
Chelidonium
majus
) is deep orange in color.
Poppy ovaries are superior to the stalk; the fruit usually takes the form of a seed capsule,
though horned poppies (
Glaucium
spp.) produce seedpods. Flowers are usually individuals,
in rare cases forming flower heads. The seeds of many poppies have a relatively high oil con-
tent.
When poppy flowers open, the calyx releases at its base but remains upon the still-en-
closed petals like a cap until the pressure becomes too great, at which point it falls off. Pop-
pies grow all over the world, though they prefer the temperate zones of the northern hemi-
sphere and dry, low-nutrient soils.
OPIUM POPPY
Papaver somniferum
The opium poppy is a beautiful plant with nutritious seeds. Some varieties have especially attractive
flowers; others have been bred for seeds with high oil content. Older varieties form capsules with holes
in them that allow seeds to sprinkle out like a salt shaker. Most have closed seed capsules and in this
way are true cultivated varieties: without the hand of man, such poppies would not be able to reproduce.
Names like gray, brown, blue, or white poppy refer to the color of the seed, as the seed photos show.
Gray poppy seeds have a fine, mild flavor. White poppy has a nutty flavor. The blue-gray seeds of blue
poppy have a somewhat harsher flavor and more intense aroma.
