Poppy is narcotic plant which was brought in Europe 4000 years back and
ancient Greek used it as a soothing agent.
Poppy is widely found in china and Afghanistan where it was introduced
in 17 century.
Poppy consist of several species and colours like red, white, blue,
pink etc. the cultivation is generally done commercially due to its
narcotic properties.
The plant is erect and grows to 1.2 m in height.
The leaves are lance shaped, 5 cleft and the segments being cut-toothed.
The capsules are ovate, small, sooth and truncate containing numerous
seeds inside.
It is traditional symbol of United States and abundantly found here in
the fields and gardens.
Red poppy is cultivated in temperate regions of Asia, United States,
North Africa and Europe.
Being an ornamental plant it is found in gardens and fields bearing
colourful flowers.
Flowers and Seeds.
Poppy contains alkaloids like papaverine, rhoeadine, isorhoeadine;
meconic acid, mekocyanin, mucilage, and tannin.
Red poppy is being used as mild sedative, analgesic and widely used as
herbal remedy in European countries.
It is also capable of curing cough, and also used as pain reliever; for
asthma, insomnia, and nervous irritability.
Above medicinal uses poppy is being used as opium in china and
Afghanistan where it is cultivated commercially for this purpose.