Opium Poppy (Papaver Somniferum)

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  1.   1.  Description
  2.   2.  Obtainment
  3.   3.  Uses
    1.   3.1  Painkiller
    2.   3.2  Other
  4.   4.  More
  5.   5.  'Souls
Common Name Opium poppy
Latin Name Papaver somniferum
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Poppy seeds of Papaver somniferum are an important food item and the source of poppyseed oil, a healthy edible oil that has many uses.

1.  Description

"Papaver somniferum has many subspecies or varieties and cultivars. Colors of the flower vary widely, as do other physical characteristics, such as number and shape of petals, number of flowers and fruits, number of seeds, color of seeds, production of opium, etc."

2.  Obtainment

Very easy. Grows wild basically everywhere -- it was a very common garden plant prior to the apocalypse. Cultivated by various packs.

3.  Uses

3.1  Painkiller

Opiates are extracted from opium and poppy straw. Opium is the latex harvested by making incisions on the green capsules (seed pods). Poppy straw is the dried mature plant except the seeds. Raw opium is an extremely potent painkiller.

Although opiates such as morphine, codeine, heroin, etc. are synthesized from opium, they require a laboratory setting to achieve and are therefore not possible in the 'Souls universe. Laudanum, a tincture of opium and alcohol, is still possible.

Opium and its derivatives are extremely addicting and can be overdosed on. They are narcotic and may cause euphoria, drowsiness, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting, and a telltale "nod" -- the person under their effects seems to be drowsing in and out of sleep while sitting or laying down, but is never fully awake or asleep.

3.2  Other

  • Poppy seed: "Poppy seeds are commonly used in cuisine from many different cultures. They can be dry roasted and ground to be used in wet curry (curry paste) or dry curry. They have a creamy and nut-like flavor, and when used with ground coconut, the seeds provide a unique and flavour-rich curry base."
  • Poppyseed oil: "In the 19th century poppy seed oil was used as cooking oil, lamp oil, and varnish, and was used to make paints and soaps."

4.  More

5.  'Souls

  • Hey, did your character do something cool with this plant?
  • Or maybe your pack has it for trade?


Categories: Flora | Resources