Papaver somniferum
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Papaver somniferum, commonly known as the opium poppy or breadseed poppy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae. It is the species of plant from which both opium and poppy seeds a
Papaver somniferum flowers
Plant showing the typical glaucous appearance
Flower
Close-up of the centre of a flower
Opioid
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Opioids are a class of drugs that derive from, or mimic, natural substances found in the opium poppy plant. Opioids work on opioid receptors in the brain and other organs to produce a variety of morph
Papaver somniferum
…more in high-yield cultivars. It is used directly and, or, as the isolated natural opioids morphine, codeine, papaverine, thebaine, and, or, to produce semi-synthetic opioids such as buprenorphine, diamorphine (heroin), dihydromorphone and oxycodone. Opium poppies (flower and fruit) appear on the coat of arms of the Royal…
A sample of raw opium
Prescription opioid pain reliever overdose deaths in the United States over years