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Papaver somniferum - Opium Poppy
The Papaver Somniferum (Opium Poppy) plant
was cultivated in the ancient civilizations of Persia,
Egypt and Mesopotamia. Archaeological evidence and fossilized
Papver somniferum seeds suggest that Neanderthal man
may have used the opium poppy over thirty thousand years
ago. The first known written reference to the Papaver
somniferum Opium poppy appears in a Sumerian text dated
around 4,000 BC. The flower was known as hul gil, plant
of joy. Papaver somniferum has also been variously called
the Sacred Anchor Of Life, Milk Of Paradise, the Hand
Of God, and Destroyer Of Grief.
From Opium Poppy's mid-Eastern orgins, its
use had spread throughout Europe by 2000 BC. And by
the 8th century AD Papaver somniferum was widely cultivated
in Arabia, India and China.
Opium Poppy flower pods grow from a lettuce-like
base, atop a single stalk, somtimes over 4 feet tall.
The Papaver somniferum flowers are beautiful and grace
gardens world-wide. The pods are very popular in dried
flower arrangements, and the seeds are commonly used
in baking
Persian White Opium Poppy
Seeds:
Persian Blue Opium Poppy
Seeds:
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