Large capsules can contain up to a thousand seeds. Each seed capsule contains numerous small, round black, white, or grayish-blue seeds with a favose-reticulate (honeycombed) seed coat. The green capsules swell to become up to as large as a golf ball. In a few days the petals fall off, leaving behind an ovoid seed capsule. The flowers can be used as cut flowers, lasting longer if the cut stem is cauterized before placing in water. The plants are self-fertile, and are pollinated by bees. The sepals typically fall off the plant, but occasionally will remain attached at the base of the flower. The paeoniflorum group has double flowers that are reminiscent of a peony and the laciniatum group has highly double flowers with deeply lobed petals that give the flower a ruffled, pompon appearance.įat, dull-green, buds covered with soft hairs start out hanging from downward-nodding stems, like a shepherd’s crook, but become erect as the sepals open to reveal the tightly packed petals.
Flowers on large plants can be up to 4 inches across. Singles or partly double forms form a cup shape, with a dark or white blotch at the base. Single types have 5 luminous, papery petals, while double types have many more. The foliage begins to decline once the plant is in bloom, and by the time the flowers are done will dry up completely.īlooming in early- to mid-summer, this common annual can have flowers in many shades of pink, red and purple, as well as white and bicolors. The smooth leaves have jagged edges and a crisp texture, resembling loose-leaf lettuce leaves. The dull green to blue-green, glaucous leaves clasp the strong upright stems growing from a stout tap root. They are hardy, cool season annuals, germinating early in the season and the foliage is not affected by light frosts (the flowers are sensitive to freezing). The edible seeds are widely used in baked goods such as bagels, muffins and cakes, and since they contain 40- 50% oil can be pressed for oil for cooking – similar to sesame oil – or for use in oil-based paints.īreadseed poppy plants grow quickly from seed up to three feet tall. Opium is extracted primarily from the seed capsules. Most of the medicinal opium in the world is produced in India and Turkey. Somniferum – meaning “sleep bringing” in Latin – refers to the narcotic properties of the plant. This plant contains narcotic alkaloids which are the active compounds of opium and many refined opiates, such as morphine and codeine.
Native to Southeastern Europe and Western Asia, breadseed poppy, Papaver somniferum was cultivated in Europe since the Neolithic era and in America as ornamental plants before 1750.
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