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A poppy is a flowering plant in the subfamily Papaveroideae of the family Papaveraceae. Poppies are , often grown for their colourful flowers. One species of poppy, Papaver somniferum, is the source of the narcotic drug mixture opium, which contains powerful medicinal such as morphine and has been used since ancient times as an analgesic and narcotic medicine and recreational drug. It also produces Poppy seed. Following the trench warfare in the poppy fields of Flanders, Belgium, during World War I, poppies have become a symbol of Remembrance Day of soldiers who have died during wartime, especially in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth realms.
Poppies can be over tall with flowers up to across. Flowers of species (not cultivars) have 4 or 6 petals, many forming a conspicuous whorl in the center of the flower and an ovary composed of 2 or more fused carpels. The petals are showy, may be of almost any colour and may have markings. The petals are crumpled in the bud and as blooming finishes, the petals often lie flat before falling away.
In the temperate zones, poppies bloom from spring into early summer.Simon, J.E., Chadwick, A.F. and Craker L.E. (1984) Herbs: An indexed bibliography, 1971-1980: the scientific literature on selected herbs, and aromatic and medicinal plants of the Temperate Zone. Elsevier, Amsterdam and New York. Most species secrete latex when injured. use poppies as a pollen source. The pollen of the oriental poppy, Papaver orientale, is dark blue, that of the field or corn poppy ( Papaver rhoeas) is grey to dark green. The opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, grows wild in Southeast Europe and Southeast Asia. It is believed that it originated in the Mediterranean region.Kryzmanski, J. and Jonsson, R. (1999) Poppy. In: Robbelon, G., Downey, R.K., Ashri, A.(eds.), Oil Crops of the World. Their Breeding and Utilization. McGraw Hill, New York, . p. 388-393.
Poppies belong to the subfamily Papaveroideae of the family Papaveraceae, which includes the following genera:
Poppy seeds are rich in oil, , calcium and protein. Poppyseed oil is often used as cooking oil, salad dressing oil, or in products such as margarine. Poppy oil can also be added to spices for cakes or breads. Poppy products are also used in different paints, varnishes, and some cosmetics.Kryzmanski, J. and Jonsson, R. (1999) Poppy. In: Robbelon, G., Downey, R.K., Ashri, A.(eds.), Oil Crops of the World. Their Breeding and Utilization. McGraw Hill, New York, . p. 388-393 A few species have other uses, principally as sources of drugs and foods. The opium poppy is widely cultivated and its worldwide production is monitored by international agencies. It is used for production of dried latex and opium, the principal precursor of narcotic and analgesic opiates such as morphine, heroin, and codeine.
The eradication of poppy cultivation came about in the early 1900s through international conferences due to safety concerns associated with the production of opium. In the 1970s the American war on drugs targeted Turkey production of the plant, leading to a more negative popular opinion of the U.S.
A poppy flower is depicted on the reverse of the Macedonian 500-Macedonian denar banknote, issued in 1996 and 2003. National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia. Macedonian currency. Banknotes in circulation: 500 Denars (1996 issue) & 500 Denars (2003 issue). – access date 30 March 2009 The poppy is also part of the coat of arms of North Macedonia.
Canada has issued special quarters (25-cent coins) with a red poppy on the reverse in 2004, 2008, 2010, and 2015. The 2004 Canadian "poppy" quarter was the world's first coloured circulation coin.
A second interpretation of poppies in Classical mythology is that the bright scarlet colour signifies a promise of resurrection after death.Robert Graves, The Greek Myths, 24. 15 p. 96,
Red-flowered poppy is unofficially considered the national flower of the Albanians in Albania, Kosovo and elsewhere. This is due to its red and black colours, the same as the colours of the flag of Albania. Red poppies are also the national flower of Poland. The California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, is the state flower of California.
The powerful symbolism of Papaver rhoeas has been borrowed by various advocacy campaigns, such as the White Poppy and Simon Topping's black poppy.
Artificial poppies (called "Buddy Poppies") are used in the veterans' aid campaign by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, which provides money to the veterans who assemble the poppies and various aid programs to veterans and their families.
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