POPPY (pop'e) is the common name of many species of plants of the poppy family. All of them have milky or colored juice and usually showy flowers. Some poppies grow wild in almost every country in the north temperate zone. Several kinds are raised in gardens for their large, many-tinted flowers.
Oriental poppies, natives of the Mediterranean region, have the largest flowers, often six to eight inches across, white to red in color. Iceland poppies, from arctic regions, have small, fragrant flowers of different delicate colors. Alpine poppies are low-growing rock garden Perennials with sweet-scented yellow or white flowers. The popular, many-colored Shirley Poppies are cultivated forms of the corn, or Flanders poppy, a common wild flower of Europe and Asia. They are annuals.
The opium poppy, with gray-green leaves and white to purple flowers, is sometimes grown in gardens. It is widely cultivated in eastern countries for opium, made from the juice oi its unripe seed pods. The ripe seeds are used in baking. Growing the plant is illegal in the United States. (See Opium.)
The plume poppy, native in eastern Asia, is a tall, bushy plant with bluish-gray leaves, topped by a showy cluster of white flowers. The California poppy, with satiny, creamy to bright orange flowers, grows wild in western United States. Cultivated varieties may have single or double flowers, some in shades of red. Prickly poppies are natives of the warm, dry parts of the United States. They have white, yellow, or purplish poppylike flowers and thistlelike leaves. They become weeds in some places.
Poppies grow best in sunny places. Most kinds do well in ordinary garden soil. Seeds should be planted in the fall or in very early spring. Some poppies self-sow. Oriental poppies, true perennials, are grown from seed or from root-cuttings. Iceland and California poppies are perennials that bloom in their first season if the seeds are planted early.
Poppy Is the common name for several related groups of flowers. The most important member is the white, pink, red, or purple opium poppy of China, India, and Iran. It has been raised in the Orient since ancient times.
The flowers of poppies are admired for their delicate beauty and gracefulness. Breeders have produced manv variations in the size and form of the blossom. Most kinds are hardy and easy to cultivate. The tiny seeds have no narcotic properties, and are sold for bird food They also yield an oil used in preparing some foods.The oil cake remaining is a valuable cattle food. Poppy seeds are also used as flavoring. Poppy seeds may be sprin-kled on bread and rolls, or used in filling for cakes.
The common corn poppy grows wild in the grain-fields and grassy meadows of Europe. Many varieties of the corn poppy, including the Shirley poppy, are grown from seed in flower gardens. The Iceland poppy grows as far south as Colorado. Its long-lasting flowers are various shades of white, orange, yellow, rose-pink, and scarlet The California poppy, or "cup of gold," grows wild in the Golden State." The most showy poppy is the large-flowered Oriental poppy. This poppys red, orange, white, or salmon blossoms often have blackish-purple centers.
Many poppies are annual plants that can be grown from seed. But the Onental poppy is a perennial, and
best transplanted by root sections.The poppy is one of the flowers of the month of August
Opium comes from the young capsules of the opium poppy where the seeds develop. To obtain it, workers scratch the capsules late in the day. The milky juice that seeps out solidifies overnight, and is collected the next day. It takes 120,000 capsules to yield 25 to 40 pounds (11 to 18 kilograms) of opium.
The common corn poppy grows wild in the grain-fields and grassy meadows of Europe. Many varieties of the corn poppy, including the Shirley poppy, are grown from seed in flower gardens. The Iceland poppy grows as far south as Colorado. Its long-lasting flowers are various shades of white, orange, yellow, rose-pink, and scarlet The California poppy, or "cup of gold," grows wild in the "Golden State." The most showy poppy is the large-flowered Oriental poppy. This poppy's red, orange, white, or salmon blossoms often have blackish-purple centers.
See also Types Of Flowers
