Editing Poppy

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae}}
{{about|the plant|the singer|Poppy (singer)|other uses|Poppy (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|cs1-dates=ly|date=February 2025}}
[[File:Poppies in the Sunset on Lake Geneva.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|Poppies on [[Lake Geneva]], [[Montreux]]]]
A '''poppy''' is a [[flowering plant]] in the subfamily [[Papaveroideae]] of the family [[Papaveraceae]]. Poppies are [[herbaceous plant]]s, 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 [[alkaloid]]s such as [[morphine]] and has been used since ancient times as an [[analgesic]] and [[narcotic]] [[medicine|medicinal]] and [[recreational drug]]. It also produces [[Poppy seed|edible seeds]]. Following the [[trench warfare]] in the poppy fields of [[Flanders]], Belgium, during [[World War I]], poppies have become a symbol of [[Remembrance Day|remembrance]] of soldiers who have died during wartime, especially in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other [[Commonwealth realms]].

==Description==
[[File:A bright red poppy flower.jpg|thumb|A close-up of a red-flowered poppy|alt=A close-up of a bright red poppy flower]]
[[File:Persian Poppy, Behbahan.jpg|alt=Wild poppy in Behbahan|thumb|Wild poppy in [[Behbahan County|Behbahan]]]]
[[File:Wild Poppy in Mazandaran, Iran.jpg|alt=Wild poppy in Mazandaran, Iran|thumb|Wild poppy in [[Mazandaran province|Mazandaran]]]]
Poppies are [[herbaceous plant|herbaceous]] [[Annual plant|annual]], [[Biennial plant|biennial]] or short-lived [[Perennial plant|perennial]] plants. Some species are [[monocarpic]], dying after flowering.

Poppies can be over {{convert|1|m|ft}} tall with flowers up to {{convert|15|cm|in}} across. Flowers of species (not cultivars) have 4 or 6 petals, many [[stamen]]s 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.<ref>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. {{ISBN|0444996265}}</ref> Most species secrete [[latex]] when injured. [[Bee]]s 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.<ref name="Hodges">{{cite book |author=Dorothy Hodges |title=The pollen loads of the honeybee |year=1952 |publisher=Bee Research Association Ltd., London}}</ref> The opium poppy, ''[[Papaver somniferum]]'', grows wild in [[Southeast Europe]] and [[Southeast Asia]]. It is believed that it originated in the [[Mediterranean]] region.<ref>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, {{ISBN|00-705-30815}}. p. 388-393.</ref>

[[File:Glaucium flavum 2015-06-16 442.JPG|thumb|A flowering ''[[glaucium flavum]]'']]
Poppies belong to the subfamily [[Papaveroideae]] of the family [[Papaveraceae]], which includes the following genera:
* ''[[Papaver]]'' – ''[[Papaver rhoeas]]'', ''[[Papaver somniferum]]'', ''[[Papaver orientale]]'', ''[[Papaver nudicaule]]'', ''[[Papaver cambricum]]''
* ''[[Eschscholzia]]'' – ''[[Eschscholzia californica]]''
* ''[[Meconopsis]]'' – ''[[Meconopsis napaulensis]]''
* ''[[Glaucium]]'' - the horned poppies including ''[[Glaucium flavum]]'' and ''[[Glaucium corniculatum]]''
* ''[[Stylophorum]]'' – celandine poppy
* ''[[Argemone]]'' – prickly poppy
* ''[[Romneya]]'' – matilija poppy and relatives
* ''[[Canbya]]'' – pygmy poppy
* ''[[Stylomecon]]'' – wind poppy
* ''[[Arctomecon]]'' – desert bearpaw poppy
* ''[[Hunnemannia]]'' – tulip poppy
* ''[[Dendromecon]]'' – tree poppy

==Uses and cultivation==
[[File:3mohn z01.JPG|thumb|Poppy stems next to jars of blue, gray, and white poppy seeds used for pastries]]
The flowers of most poppy species are attractive and are widely cultivated as annual or perennial [[ornamental plant]]s. This has resulted in a number of commercially important cultivars, such as the Shirley poppy, a cultivar of ''Papaver rhoeas'' and semi-double or double (flore plena) forms of the opium poppy ''Papaver somniferum'' and oriental poppy (''Papaver orientale''). Poppies of several other genera are also cultivated in gardens.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

[[Poppy seeds]] are rich in oil, [[carbohydrate]]s, [[calcium]] and [[protein]]. [[Poppyseed oil|Poppy 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.<ref name="Kryzmanski, J 1999 p. 388-393">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, {{ISBN|00-705-30815}}. p. 388-393</ref>
[[File:Afghan poppies.jpg|thumb|Poppy cultivators being interviewed in a poppy field]]
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]]. 

=== Traditional medicine ===
[[Poppy seed]]s contain small quantities of both [[morphine]] and [[codeine]],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Meadway |first1=C. |last2=George |first2=S. |last3=Braithwaite |first3=R. |year=1998 |title=Opiate concentration following the ingestion of poppy seed products – evidence for 'the poppy seed defence' |journal=Forensic Science International |volume=96 |issue=1 |pages=29–38 |doi=10.1016/s0379-0738(98)00107-8 |pmid=9800363}}</ref> which are pain-relieving drugs. Poppy seeds and fixed oils can also be nonnarcotic because when they are harvested about twenty days after the flower has opened, the morphine is no longer present.<ref name="Kryzmanski, J 1999 p. 388-393" /> Poppy cultivation is strictly regulated worldwide, with the exception of India where opium gum, which also contains the analgesic [[thebaine]], is legally produced.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Licensed cultivation of opium {{!}} Department of Revenue {{!}} Ministry of Finance {{!}} Government of India |url=https://dor.gov.in/narcoticdrugspsychotropic/licensed-cultivation-opium#:~:text=India%20is%20one%20of%20the,as%20morphine,%20codeine%20and%20thebaine. |access-date=17 November 2022 |website=dor.gov.in}}</ref>

==History==
''Papaver somniferum'' was domesticated by [[Old Europe (archaeology)|the indigenous people]] of Western and Central Europe between 6000 and 3500 BC.<ref>{{cite book |author=Jared Diamond |author-link=Jared Diamond |date=1997 |title=Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies |publisher=W W Norton & Co |isbn=978-0-393-03891-0 |page=101 |title-link=Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies}}</ref> However, it is believed that its origins may come from the [[Sumer|Sumerian people]], where the first use of opium was recognized.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Brownstein |first=M J |date=15 June 1993 |title=A brief history of opiates, opioid peptides, and opioid receptors. |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |volume=90 |issue=12 |pages=5391–5393 |issn=0027-8424 |pmid=8390660 |pmc=46725 |doi=10.1073/pnas.90.12.5391 |bibcode=1993PNAS...90.5391B |doi-access=free}}</ref> Poppies and opium made their way around the world along the [[Silk Road|silk road]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.deamuseum.org/ccp/opium/history.html |title=Opium Poppy: History |website=www.deamuseum.org |language=en |access-date=20 November 2018}}</ref> Juglets resembling poppy seed pods have been discovered with trace amounts of opium and the flower appeared in jewelry and on art pieces in Ancient Egypt, dated 1550–1292 BC.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/3198 |title=Brooklyn Museum |website=www.brooklynmuseum.org |access-date=20 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://melbakes.pl/baza-wiedzy/pochodzenie-i-historia-maku/ |title=Pochodzenie i historia maku - Baza wiedzy - Melbake's - Najlepsze ziarna |website=melbakes.pl |language=pl-PL |access-date=20 November 2018}}</ref>

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|Turkish]] production of the plant, leading to a more negative popular opinion of the U.S.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Evered |first=Kyle T. |date=7 September 2011 |title=Poppies Are Democracy!" A Critical Geopolitics of Opium Eradication and Reintroduction in Turkey |journal=Geographical Review |language=en |volume=101 |issue=3 |pages=299–315 |doi=10.1111/j.1931-0846.2011.00098.x |pmid=22164875 |s2cid=27615959 |issn=0016-7428}}</ref>

==In culture==
The girl's given name "Poppy" is taken from the name of the flower.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.babynames.co.uk/meaning_origin_name_Poppy.htm |title=Meaning and origin of the name Poppy |publisher=Baby Names UK |access-date=16 August 2015}}</ref>

A poppy flower is depicted on the [[Obverse and reverse|reverse]] of the Macedonian 500-[[Macedonian denar|denar]] banknote, issued in 1996 and 2003.<ref>[http://www.nbrm.gov.mk National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia]. Macedonian currency. Banknotes in circulation: [http://www.nbrm.gov.mk/default-en.asp?ItemID=F324B3844DB817418C74624BF37D1997 500 Denars] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408041010/http://www.nbrm.gov.mk/default-en.asp?ItemID=F324B3844DB817418C74624BF37D1997|date=8 April 2009}} (1996 issue) & [http://www.nbrm.gov.mk/default-en.asp?ItemID=CD997426CC71604FBF10691BA17118A6 500 Denars] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408040939/http://www.nbrm.gov.mk/default-en.asp?ItemID=CD997426CC71604FBF10691BA17118A6|date=8 April 2009}} (2003 issue). – access date 30 March 2009</ref> 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.<ref name="mint">{{cite web |url=https://www.mint.ca/store/mint/about-the-mint/coloured-poppy-coin-1600014 |title=The Poppy Coin |website=www.mint.ca |access-date=9 November 2021 |archive-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515064520/https://www.mint.ca/store/mint/about-the-mint/coloured-poppy-coin-1600014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Symbolism==
[[File:Vincent van Gogh - Field with Poppies (1889).jpg|thumb|''Field with Poppies'', 1889, by [[Vincent van Gogh]]]]
Poppies have long been used as a symbol of sleep, peace, and [[death]]: Sleep because the opium extracted from them is a [[sedative]], and death because of the common blood-red colour of the red poppy in particular.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poppy Mythology |url=https://www.poppymythology.com/ |access-date=12 December 2023 |website=www.poppymythology.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In [[Greek mythology|Greek]] and [[Roman mythology|Roman]] myths, poppies were used as offerings to the dead.<ref name=autogenerated1>L. Frank Baum, Michael Patrick Hearn, ''The Annotated Wizard of Oz'', p. 173, {{ISBN|0-517-50086-8}}</ref> Poppies used as emblems on [[headstone|tombstones]] symbolize eternal sleep. This symbolism was evoked in [[L. Frank Baum]]'s 1900 children's novel ''[[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]]'', in which a magical poppy field threatened to make the protagonists sleep forever.<ref name=autogenerated1/>
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red 9 Aug 2014.JPG|thumb|left|The ''[[Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red]]'' exhibit at the [[Tower of London]], which consists of 888,246 ceramic poppies, one for each British and colonial death<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29642463 "Queen visits Tower of London poppy garden"]. BBC News. Retrieved 6 November 2014</ref>]] -->
A second interpretation of poppies in [[Classical mythology]] is that the bright scarlet colour signifies a promise of [[resurrection]] after death.<ref>[[Robert Graves]], ''The Greek Myths'', 24. 15 p. 96, {{ISBN|0-14-001026-2}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=California Poppy |url=https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Plants/California-Poppy |access-date=7 February 2024 |website=wildlife.ca.gov}}</ref>

The powerful symbolism of ''Papaver rhoeas'' has been borrowed by various advocacy campaigns, such as the [[White Poppy]] and [[Simon Topping]]'s black poppy.

===Wartime remembrance===
{{main|Remembrance poppy}}
[[Image:Lest we forget.jpg|thumb|A Canadian [[remembrance poppy]] worn on the lapel]]
The [[Remembrance poppy|poppy of wartime remembrance]] is ''[[Papaver rhoeas]]'', the red-flowered corn poppy. This poppy is a common [[Ruderal species|plant]] of [[disturbed ground]] in Europe and is found in many locations, including [[Flanders]], which is the setting of the famous poem "[[In Flanders Fields]]" by the Canadian surgeon and soldier [[John McCrae]]. In Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, artificial poppies (plastic in Canada, paper in the UK, Australia, South Africa, Malta and New Zealand) are worn to commemorate those who died in war. This form of commemoration is associated with [[Remembrance Day]], which falls on 11 November. In Canada, Australia and the UK, poppies are often worn from the beginning of November through to the 11th, or Remembrance Sunday if that falls on a later date. In New Zealand and Australia, soldiers are also commemorated on [[ANZAC day]] (25 April),<ref name="Seal2004">{{cite book |author=Graham Seal |title=Inventing Anzac: the digger and national mythology |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z40eykeP_IMC&pg=PA105 |access-date=18 September 2010 |year=2004 |publisher=Univ. of Queensland Press |isbn=978-0-7022-3447-7 |pages=105–}}</ref> although the poppy is still commonly worn around Remembrance Day. Wearing of poppies has been a custom since 1924 in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legion.org/troops/216371/legion-family-flower-remembrance |title=Legion Family flower of remembrance |website=The American Legion}}</ref> [[Moina Michael]] of Georgia is credited as the founder of the Memorial Poppy in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Miss Moina Michael |url=http://www.cal-mum.com/poppy.htm#Moina |access-date=8 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027152736/http://www.cal-mum.com/poppy.htm#Moina |archive-date=27 October 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="BookInc2003">{{cite book |author1=World Book |author2=Inc |title=The World Book dictionary |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oPW_pTjpeCQC&pg=PA1622 |access-date=18 August 2010 |year=2003 |publisher=World Book.com |isbn=978-0-7166-0299-6 |pages=1622–}}</ref><ref name="United States of America Congressional Record">{{cite book |title=United States of America Congressional Record |date=13 February 2009 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DbK9zpJ1ipEC&pg=PA10121 |access-date=18 August 2010 |publisher=Government Printing Office |pages=10121– |isbn=9780160825637 |id=GGKEY:8F7NFQJ525R}}</ref>

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.<ref name="vfw">{{cite web |url=http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=cmty.levelc&cid=127 |title=Veterans of Foreign Wars Buddy Poppy Website |website=vfw.org |access-date=29 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100807015526/http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=cmty.levelc&cid=127 |archive-date=7 August 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of poppy seed pastries and dishes]]
* [[Poppy goddess]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Papaveroideae}}
{{Wikiquote|Poppies}}
{{Wiktionary}}

[[Category:Poppies| ]]
[[Category:Plant common names]]
[[Category:Symbols]]
[[Category:Papaveroideae]]