Papaver somniferum

Opium Poppy

Sometimes called "Papaver paeoniflorum" when grown decoratively, and "breadseed poppy" for culinary use

Isolated Chemicals:

Preparations:

• Laudanum
  Tincture of opium.
• Opium
  Dried latex of the unripe seed pod of P. somniferum, commonly smoked.

Documents:

• Opium FAQ
• Determination of loss on drying or consistency of opium samples using microwave ovens
  By S. Banjeree - A rapid method for estimating moisture in opium samples
• The Poppy - Divine Herb of Joy, or Evil Weed of Daemons?
  A well rounded article on the Opium Poppy
• The Alkaloids of the Common Poppy and the opium alkaloid porphyroxine
  W. Awe, W. Winkler, 1958 'Papaver Rhoeas and Papaver somniferum contain a special substance of an alkaloid character...'

more...

Contacts and URLs:

• Erowid (homepage, more info)
  "Documenting the Complex Relationship between Humans and Psychoactives"
  • Opiates Vault (related items...)
• Hedonistic Imperative (homepage, more info)
  Entry point for an eclectic group of sites with information and opinions on many things, including drugs.
  • 17th century engraving of man harvesting opium. (related items...)
  • Girl harvesting opium (related items...)
• King's American Dispensatory (homepage, more info)
  Excellent reference for plants and preparations
  • King's American Dispensatory entry for Opium
    Papaver somniferum, chemistry and use (related items...)
• Knehnav's Homepage (homepage, more info)
  • Poppies
    Images of scored pods. (related items...)
• poppies.org (homepage, more info)
  Web portal and forums devoted to poppies. Home of the Somni-Forum
  • Dried Poppy Laudanum
    An experiment in making laudanum from dried poppy pods (related items...)
  • Poppies Photo Gallery (related items...)
• Miscellaneous URLs
  • Opium, Made Easy: One Gardner's Encounter with the War on Drugs
    Fascinating article from Harper's magazine. (related items...)

more...

Images:

• Papaver somniferum Specimen
  Color photograph of 2 plants, showing good detail on seed pods.
• Papaver somniferum Specimen
  Complete view of large plant, not flowering. Color photograph.
• Papaver somniferum Specimen
  Image of large plant with many ripe seed pods.
• Papaver somniferum Specimen
  Image of gorgeous pink poppy flower.
• Papaver somniferum Specimen
  Large plant with immature seed pods. Color photograph.
• Papaver somniferum Specimen
  Top view of two lavendar flowers, showing reproductive structures emerging from the top of the seed pod, as well as a third pod (background) just about to bloom.
• Papaver somniferum Specimen
  Color image of plant with two gorgeous lavendar flowers.
• Papaver somniferum Specimen
  3 young plants about 15 cm tall.
• Papaver somniferum Specimen
  Top view of single plant. Color photograph.
• Papaver somniferum Specimen
  Image of plant with 2 seedpods

more...

Trip Reports:

• Feeling Absolutely No Pain: Make your own opium
  Substances: Papaver somniferum
• Opium Tea: Pros, cons and caveats
  Substances: Papaver somniferum
• Giant Poppy Tea: pleasant mental vortex
  Substances: Papaver somniferum
• Poppy Dreams: Another Opium Tea Experience
  Substances: Papaver somniferum
• The bitter tea of glee: Another poppy tea report
  Substances: Papaver somniferum
• Tea Time: Opium tea and poetry
  Substances: Papaver somniferum
• Grey Moth over the Cesspool: Opium tea produces banal visionary state
  Substances: Papaver somniferum

more...