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- Poppy
Description
The genus Papavar contains hundreds of species of poppies, most of which are beautiful and easy to grow. Other genera contain plants called poppies, such as the California native Matilija poppy, which belongs to the Romneya genus. Poppies are either single or double flowers that are held above their foliage on tall stems. The plants' heights vary, from low-growing border plants to tall background specimens, which can grow up to 4 feet tall. Both annual and perennial forms exist. Because of their abundant and season-long blooms, poppies are favorite choices for home landscapes. Many varieties also set seed readily and reseed themselves, making it unnecessary for you to replant them the following spring. You could wind up with more poppies than you know what to do with and you might need to weed some out, if they grow successfully in your
environment.
Many varieties of poppy have been grown since ancient times and have been used for their beauty, in recipes and for medicine. Poppies are mentioned in mythology and appear in works of art and literature and are a highly symbolic
flower. For example, the red Flanders poppy is a symbol of country life and the abundance of summer harvests. Other
poppies symbolize fertility, and the opium poppy has often been used to symbolize death. Different poppies are native to a wide range of locations, from California to Greece to the arctic regions of North America, Europe and Asia. If you grow a poppy that is native to your area, you will find that it is a low-maintenance, attractive, natural addition to your landscaping.
Many native species of poppies exist, from the orange California poppy to the red Flanders poppies that cover hills and meadows of France and other parts of Europe in the summer months. The more common and popular poppies are available at nurseries. Poppies make attractive cut flowers and range in color from white to pink to salmon to red to purple and some multihued varieties. The seeds of many different and more unusual varieties are available in seed catalogs and online. These
include the Shirley Poppy, Corn Red or Flanders, Iceland, Apricota, Black Peony, Hungarian Blue and Oriental Scarlet Poppies.
Oriental poppies will attract bees, butterflies and ladybugs, as well as other beneficial insects, which will help your garden to thrive. Harvest seed when ripe to use in baking and cooking. Oriental poppies have been harvested for centuries for their medicinal properties.
Uses
Poppy seed breads, bagels, cakes and salad dressings are great tasting treats that include poppy seeds. You can buy poppy seeds ready to use in these and other recipes at natural foods stores, or collect your own from opium poppy. However, do not use any part of the opium poppy except the seeds.
Medicinal
Poppy extracts have traditionally been used to relax smooth muscle tone, making them potentially useful in the treatment of diarrhea and abdominal cramping. The extract has been used as a sedative analgesic and antitussive. Poppy seed oil is used as a vehicle for chemotherapy delivery and to diagnose fistulae. However, there are no clinical trials to support these uses. Morphine is prepared from the opium poppy.
Ancient Egyptian doctors would have their patients eat seeds from a poppy to relieve pain. Poppy seeds contain small quantities of both morphine and codeine, which are pain-relieving drugs that are still used today. Poppy seeds and fixed oils can also be non-narcotic because when they are harvested, they are after the capsule has lost the opium yielding potential. The morphine practically disappears from the seeds twenty days after the flower has opened.
Sources
http://www.ehow.com/about_5217293
http://www.drugs.com/npp/poppy.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppy
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/divide
Recipes
http://easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/i1/tp/Top-Eastern-European-Poppy-Seed-Recipes.htm
Disclaimer:
This information is for educational purposes only. Plant Sale does not and can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Plant Sale makes no claims to the medicinal/edible effects of these plants. In fact, plants may be harmful or even deadly if taken for the wrong conditions, used in excessive amounts, or combined with other drugs. Consult your doctor about your health conditions and the use of plant-based remedies. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally/edibly. The statements on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. Use information wisely and at your own risk.
The genus Papavar contains hundreds of species of poppies, most of which are beautiful and easy to grow. Other genera contain plants called poppies, such as the California native Matilija poppy, which belongs to the Romneya genus. Poppies are either single or double flowers that are held above their foliage on tall stems. The plants' heights vary, from low-growing border plants to tall background specimens, which can grow up to 4 feet tall. Both annual and perennial forms exist. Because of their abundant and season-long blooms, poppies are favorite choices for home landscapes. Many varieties also set seed readily and reseed themselves, making it unnecessary for you to replant them the following spring. You could wind up with more poppies than you know what to do with and you might need to weed some out, if they grow successfully in your
environment.
Many varieties of poppy have been grown since ancient times and have been used for their beauty, in recipes and for medicine. Poppies are mentioned in mythology and appear in works of art and literature and are a highly symbolic
flower. For example, the red Flanders poppy is a symbol of country life and the abundance of summer harvests. Other
poppies symbolize fertility, and the opium poppy has often been used to symbolize death. Different poppies are native to a wide range of locations, from California to Greece to the arctic regions of North America, Europe and Asia. If you grow a poppy that is native to your area, you will find that it is a low-maintenance, attractive, natural addition to your landscaping.
Many native species of poppies exist, from the orange California poppy to the red Flanders poppies that cover hills and meadows of France and other parts of Europe in the summer months. The more common and popular poppies are available at nurseries. Poppies make attractive cut flowers and range in color from white to pink to salmon to red to purple and some multihued varieties. The seeds of many different and more unusual varieties are available in seed catalogs and online. These
include the Shirley Poppy, Corn Red or Flanders, Iceland, Apricota, Black Peony, Hungarian Blue and Oriental Scarlet Poppies.
Oriental poppies will attract bees, butterflies and ladybugs, as well as other beneficial insects, which will help your garden to thrive. Harvest seed when ripe to use in baking and cooking. Oriental poppies have been harvested for centuries for their medicinal properties.
Uses
Poppy seed breads, bagels, cakes and salad dressings are great tasting treats that include poppy seeds. You can buy poppy seeds ready to use in these and other recipes at natural foods stores, or collect your own from opium poppy. However, do not use any part of the opium poppy except the seeds.
Medicinal
Poppy extracts have traditionally been used to relax smooth muscle tone, making them potentially useful in the treatment of diarrhea and abdominal cramping. The extract has been used as a sedative analgesic and antitussive. Poppy seed oil is used as a vehicle for chemotherapy delivery and to diagnose fistulae. However, there are no clinical trials to support these uses. Morphine is prepared from the opium poppy.
Ancient Egyptian doctors would have their patients eat seeds from a poppy to relieve pain. Poppy seeds contain small quantities of both morphine and codeine, which are pain-relieving drugs that are still used today. Poppy seeds and fixed oils can also be non-narcotic because when they are harvested, they are after the capsule has lost the opium yielding potential. The morphine practically disappears from the seeds twenty days after the flower has opened.
Sources
http://www.ehow.com/about_5217293
http://www.drugs.com/npp/poppy.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppy
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/divide
Recipes
http://easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/i1/tp/Top-Eastern-European-Poppy-Seed-Recipes.htm
Disclaimer:
This information is for educational purposes only. Plant Sale does not and can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Plant Sale makes no claims to the medicinal/edible effects of these plants. In fact, plants may be harmful or even deadly if taken for the wrong conditions, used in excessive amounts, or combined with other drugs. Consult your doctor about your health conditions and the use of plant-based remedies. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally/edibly. The statements on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. Use information wisely and at your own risk.