POPPY: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, CULTIVATION, CARE - BIOLOGY - 2025

The opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Papaveraceae family native to the Mediterranean regions. Known as white poppy, royal poppy, opium, white papaver or papola, it is a kind of psychotropic effect due to its high content of morphine and codeine.

The plant is formed by a vascular stem of toothed leaves with a short petiole or close together that can measure 50 cm. Its flower is large and purple in color, with a dehiscent capsule-shaped fruit with multiple tiny black seeds.

Poppy (Papaver somniferum). Source: Kora27

The fame of the poppy derives from the high alkaloid content of the sap exuded from its immature fruits. This milky liquid is the basis for the production of opium and its derivatives, which is why in some countries its cultivation is illegal and requires special permits for its commercialization.

A latex with a high content of alkaloids, such as morphine and codeine, is extracted from Papaver somniferum, from which opium is also obtained. In addition, the seeds are used to obtain a harmless oil used industrially as a drying agent in the manufacture of varnishes and paints.

Since ancient times, the poppy has been used for its psychotropic effects. In fact, there is evidence of its use by Sumerian culture more than 4,000 years ago.

Initially the plant was used by the Mediterranean and Arab cultures for the treatment of different diseases. When it was introduced in the East, it began to smoke, causing drowsiness and slight psychic disturbances, from there it acquired the name of "poppy".

General characteristics

Morphology

- Species: Papaver somniferum L., 1753

Etymology

- Papaver: the generic name comes from the Latin «păpāvĕr», «vĕris» which means poppy.

- somniferum: specific epithet derived from the Latin «somn ǐ f ě rum», «- ěra», «- ǔ m» from somnus, sleep and cold, to carry, that is to say, sleeping or narcotic.

Flowers of Papaver somniferum. Source: jacilluch

Habitat and distribution

The opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is a cosmopolitan plant native to the Mediterranean regions, from where it spread to southwest Asia. At present the poppy grows wild in the Asian continent, it is even cultivated in some temperate zones of the American continent.

It is a crop that blooms from April to June, which is located in fallows, vacant lots, on the edge of roads or on slopes. It is extensively cultivated in Asia Minor, Turkey, India, Burma, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and some countries in the Far East

Cultivation and care

Requirements

The opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is a species that can be cultivated in various climatic conditions, even in low mountain areas. Annual crops require sufficient solar radiation, however, they do not tolerate hot, dry environments.

This plant grows on loose, deep, sandy and well-drained soils, with high nutritional content or organic matter, and a basic pH (6.5-8). For sowing the land must be conditioned, loose, free of weeds, fertilized and with sufficient moisture content to allow the seeds to hydrate.

Sowing is done directly in the field during spring, between the months of March and April. The sowing is carried out broadcast or in rows 50-80 cm apart, trying to mix the seed with fine sand to prevent a high density of sowing.

It is recommended to gently cover the seed to avoid the incidence of birds or their dispersal during irrigation or in case of heavy rains. Maintaining soil moisture, germination begins after 8-10 days, with a maximum of 21 days.

Immature fruits of Papaver somniferum. Source: Dinkum

Driving

After germination, in just 15-20 days the first true leaves of the new plant emerge. Once the cultivation is established, the poppy is quite tolerant to water imbalance, it even supports occasional dry periods, however it is advisable to maintain humidity.

The initial fertilization, at the time of conditioning the land, is enough to meet the requirements of the crop in its growth and development phase. Otherwise, it is advisable to apply a fertilizer with a high content of phosphorus and nitrogen in the first stages of growth of the plant.

The poppy does not require maintenance pruning, only some sanitary pruning in case of physiological damage, attack by pests or wilted stems or leaves. At the end of the harvest once the capsules have matured, it is advisable to remove the plant from the base of the stem.

During the winter the poppy does not require special care, only plants sown at the wrong time can reach this season. In this regard, during the winter it is recommended to suppress irrigation and keep the crop aerated.

The poppy starts flowering during the months of June-July, after which the fruits are harvested. The dried or immature fruit, together with the seed, is the commercial part of the plant, which are collected even when the fruit does not show signs of ripening.

From the immature fruit, a milky liquid is obtained that turns brown when in contact with the air. This substance, known as 'raw opium', has a high concentration of wardens, which is highly toxic if consumed directly.

Plagues and diseases

Of the pests that parasitize the poppy, the hymenopteran wasp Iraella luteipes stands out, a borer insect that produces galls on the stems. In fact, the incidence of this pest causes great economic losses in crops for pharmaceutical, ornamental and food purposes.

The management of this wasp is carried out by means of biological control with entomopathogenic fungi. The most effective control of this pest is obtained by using an endophytic strain of the ascomycete Beauveria bassiana.

Regarding diseases, the mildew caused by Peronospora arborescens is one of the pathologies with the highest incidence in the poppy. Symptoms manifest as initial yellowing, followed by deformation of the leaf blade, necrosis of the affected tissue, and finally death.

Nuts and seeds of Papaver somniferum. Source: keith ellwood

Timely control through agricultural management of the initial infection is the best way to control this disease. Weed control, application of pathogen-free fertilizers and continuous monitoring contribute to the prevention of opium mildew.

In case of chlorotic lesions and observing the presence of the typical structures of the fungus, the application of systemic and contact fungicides is suggested. Among the fungicides that have shown controlling effects against mildew, the most notable are ametoctradine, boscalid, cyazofamide, dimethomorph, metalaxyl, propamocarb and zoxamide.

Properties

The poricide capsule of immature fruits and the sticky white dry sap have a high content of alkaloid substances. Indeed, the poppy is used to obtain illegal opium and heroin derivatives.

However, at the pharmaceutical industry level these alkaloids constitute a source of alkaloid elements such as codeine and morphine. These ingredients are used mainly to make analgesics to relieve pain.

The seeds with a high content of carbohydrates, proteins and vitamin B are used in local gastronomy for their antioxidant properties and excellent aroma. In the baking industry the seeds are used to decorate loaves of bread, rolls or baguettes, or as an ingredient for the traditional dessert "poppy cake".

On the other hand, the seed is used as an ingredient for the production of nutritious fodder for birds. An oil with multiple applications is extracted from the seeds, as a drying agent in the paint industry, as fuel and to make soaps.

Details of the stem of Papaver somniferum. Source: Donaviamoris

Medicinal properties

The exudate of the poppy fruit has a large amount of alkaloids that have different psychotropic effects. One is the highly toxic morphine, but when conveniently supplied it has analgesic effects; other alkaloids are codeine, narcotine, noscapine, and papaverine.

The pharmaceutical industry, from the alkaloids found in Papaver somniferum, has managed to synthesize similar components with multiple applications. These new drugs have made it possible to improve their therapeutic effects, and in many cases eliminate the harmful side effects.

An example widely used today is synthetic morphine, whose effects are a thousand times more powerful. However, its application does not carry any type of risk as a similar dose from the natural morphine of the poppy.

In the case of codeine, its components have been artificially synthesized and its effects are similar to morphine. Although its use is less regulated than morphine, it is less addictive and is used to reduce muscle pain.

Contraindications

The continuous use of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) can cause physical and mental dependence. An addiction is created when the person feels the need to take higher doses, which results in physical and psychological degradation.

The main symptoms of an addict are lack of appetite, paleness, thinness, intolerance to light, dilated pupils and memory loss. As well as shortness of breath, bruises, spots and sagging of the skin, premature aging and motor difficulties.

Poppy seedling. Source: Salicyna

Stopping drug use causes the so-called "withdrawal syndrome," which is characterized by great nervousness, anxiety, and hallucinations. At the same time, headache, fever, tremors, nausea, diarrhea and insomnia occur.

Currently, due to the presence of alkaloids in the plant, its production, marketing and consumption is restricted in many countries. There are strong control measures and international agreements that limit its production aimed at eradicating illegal crops worldwide.

References

1. Opium Alkaloids in Poppy Seeds (2019) Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition. Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare.
2. Becerra Romero, D. (2006). The poppy in the eastern Mediterranean: sacred plant, profane plant. Habis, 37, 7-16.
3. Blasco-Zumeta, Javier. (2013) Flora of Pina de Ebro and its Region. Papaveraceae family. Papaver somniferum L. 117.
4. Díaz González, TE (2019) Papaver somniferum L. (Royal Botanical Garden) Castroviejo & al. (eds.), Flora Iberica Vol. 1, Pag (s). 409.
5. Fernández, MDCF (1995). Agricultural chemical study of the cultivation of Papaver somniferum L.: fertilization, foliar analysis and yield, in two areas of Western Andalusia (Doctoral dissertation, University of Seville).
6. Galvez, Francisco. (2018) Papaver L., Sp. Vascular Flower. Recovered at: floravascular.com
7. Gutiérrez Garzón, GE (2016). Characterization of the cultivation of poppy (Papaver somniferum) in the municipality of La Cruz (Nariño) and its impact on flora, fauna, soil and water resources.
8. Özca, MM, & Atalay, Ç. (2006). Determination of seed and oil properties of some poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) varieties. Fats and oils, 57 (2), 169-174.
9. Papaver somniferum. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
10. Vega, R. (2005). Opioids: neurobiology, medical uses and addiction. Institute of Physiology of the BUAP.