The Latin botanical name means the "sleep-bringing poppy", referring to the sedative properties of some of these opiates. The opium poppy is the only species of Papaveraceae that is an agricultural crop grown on a large scale. Other species, Papaver rhoeas and Papaver argemone, are important agricultural weeds, and may be mistaken for the crop.
This poppy is also valuable for ornamental purposes, and has been known as the "common garden poppy", referencing all the group of poppy plants. Poppy seeds of Papaver somniferum are an important food item and the source of poppy seed oil, a healthy edible oil that has many uses.
This post is part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Outdoor Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme.
Such a beautiful bloom. I have never tried to grow them.
ReplyDeleteWonderful flower, one of my favourites, thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteHave a nice abc-day-week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫
such a gorgeous, fragile flower, yet potent
ReplyDeleteThis red is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWhat a grand looking poppy.
ReplyDeleteJM, IL
Beautiful flower! Hard to wrap my brain around the fact that such a beautiful flower could be used for purposes that has brought so much grief!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent floral macro shot for O!
ReplyDeleteHappy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol
I love red flowers
ReplyDeleteMollyxxx
What a gorgeous bloom!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/10/beach-walk-at-sunrise.html
THE US spent lots of money trying to get Afghans ot to grow them. The effort failed miserably.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABCW
Interesting. I have been giving opiates to patients (with prescription) of course. I have never seen a picture of the plant.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.36hourworkweek.com/2015/10/outage.html
cute flower,
ReplyDeletethe redness gives us warmth.
The garden of our latest house was covered with pink ones and I just love them!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful !!
ReplyDelete-Priya [softypinkngloriousred.wordpress.com]