Papaver somniferum

(Common name:- White poppy)

Classification

• Kingdom- Plantae
• Family- Papaveraceae
• Genus- Papaver
• Species- P. somniferum

History

White poppy is a flower from which various opium are extracted as the plant is administered narcotic properties.

White poppy is native to Asia Minor, and widely found in Europe, turkey, Persia, India and china.

Majorly this type of poppy is being produced commercially in these countries for opium.

Plant Description

The plant of white poppy is erect and hard wood stem bearing tinted flowers which varies species.

The flower is mainly white coloured tinted with purple or seems lilac.

The parts of plant and top of capsules containing seeds filled with white latex.

The capsules are jointed with the stalk and seeds are ovoid, small kidney shaped attached to the inner wall of the capsule.

Cultivation

It is been cultivated in Asia Minor, Macedonia, Persia and exported to salonica and other European countries.

Parts Used

Dried flowers, leaves and seeds.

Constituents

The active constituent of white poppy is alkaloid morphine, and the other minor alkaloids are hebaine, Narceine, Papaverine, Codamine and Rhoeadine.

Uses

White opium is widely used in medicines and mainly the active constituents used are morphine and codeine.

Opium is reported to possess properties like astringent, anti-spasmodic, expectorant, sedative, hypnotic, and diaphoretic.

The uses of white poppy are administered to relieve from pains, anxiety and insomnia.

Names

• AFRIKAANS: Opiumpapawer.
• ARABIC: Afyun, Khashkhash aswad, Abou en noum, Abu el noom (Egypt).
• BURMESE: Bhainzi.
• CHINESE: Ying su, Ya pian.
• CROATIAN: Vrtni mak.
• CZECH: Mák sety.
• DANISH: Birkes, Opiumvalmue (plant), Valmue frø (seeds).
• DUTCH: Blauwmaanzaad, Maankop, Maanzaad, Slaapbol, Slaappapaver.
• ENGLISH: Breadseed poppy, Edible-seeded poppy, Garden poppy, Medicinal poppy, White poppy, Opium poppy.
• FINNISH: Uniko, Oopiumiunikko, Pioniunikko.
• FRENCH: Oeillette, Pavot officinal, Pavot somnifère, Pavot à opium, Pavot de jardin.
• GERMAN: Garten-Mohn, Gartenmohn, Mohn, Opiummohn, Schlafmohn, Schlaf-Mohn.
• GREEK: Aphioni.
• HEBREW: Parag tarbuti.
• HINDI: Aphim (Afim), Khashkhash (Kaskas), Post.
• HUNGARIAN: Mák.
• ICELANDIC: Valmúafræ.
• ITALIAN: Papavero da oppio, Papavero domestico, Papavero sonnifero.
• JAPANESE: Keshi.
• KOREAN: Yang gwi bi.
• LAOTIAN: Za zang.
• NEPALESE: Aphim.
• NORWEGIAN: Valmue, Opiumvalmue.
• POLISH: Mak lekarski.PORTUGUESE: Anfião, Dormideira, Dormideira-brava, Dormideira-das-boticas, Dormideira-dos-jardins, Papoula, Papoula do ópio.
• RUSSIAN: Mak opiinyi (Mak opijnyj), Mak snotvornyi.
• SANSKRIT: Ahiphenam, Aphukam.
• SPANISH: Adormidera, Amapola (Argentina), Amapola blanca, Amapola real, Herba dormidora (Catalan), Pintacoques (Catalan).
• SWEDISH: Vallmo, Opievallmo, Opiumvallmo, Pionvallmo.
• TURKISH: Hashhash.
• URDU: Khashkhash.