A Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Washington State
Hosted by the University of Washington Herbarium, Burke Museum
Hosted by the University of Washington Herbarium, Burke Museum
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Papaveraceae » Papaver somniferum
Last updated 2/4/2024 by David Giblin.
Papaver somniferum L.[FNA3, HC, HC2]
opium poppy
Publication: Sp. Pl. 1: 508. 1753.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
selected vouchers: WTU
Notes: FNA3: "Unknown in the wild, Papaver somniferum probably came originally from southeastern Europe and/or southwestern Asia. It has been cultivated for centuries as the source of opium (and its modern derivatives heroin, morphine, and codeine), and also for edible seeds and oil. Various color forms with laciniate and/or doubled petals are grown for ornament. Widely introduced from cultivation and also as a crop weed, it should be expected elsewhere in the flora."
References:
» Danert, S. 1958. Zur Systematik von Papaver somniferum L. Kulturpflanze 6: 61-88.
Synonyms & Misapplied Names:
(none)
