Opium poppy
Papaver somniferum, known as the opium poppy, is a flowering plant valued for its decorative and medicinal uses.
History
Uses
Opium poppies are grown for: their seeds as food, for the opiate compounds they produce as both a medicinal and recreational drug, as well as for purely decorative purposes.
How to grow
NOTICE: While it is perfectly legal in most cases to grow opium producing poppies, harvesting opium from them is not in most places. Under no circumstances are illicit activities supported, this is for educational purposes. Please adhere to your local laws.
Like other poppy varieties, the seeds must first be cold stratified before sowing. Once cold stratified, the seeds can simply be sprinkled on the surface of the soil. It is best to do this in early spring or to sprinkle the seeds in the fall or winter season beforehand and let naturally cold stratify. Poppies do not take well to being transplanted nor being potted so its best to use aforementioned methods.