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Papaver somniferum: Opium poppy
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Family
Papaveraceae
Common Names
Icelandic or Papaver nudicaule artic poppy
Oriental poppy P. orientale
Field or P. rhoeas Flanders poppy
Opium or P. somniferum carnation poppy
Sea or Glaucium spp. horned poppy.
Plant Description
There are 70 species of annual, biennial, or perennial poppies that are native to temperate climates especially in Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, and Australia. Numerous cultivars have been developed. Arising from a taproot, the stems are erect, branched or unbranched, thornless, often with hairs, and ranging up to 150cm in height. Leaves are basal, alternate, hairy, variably pinnately lobed, and with entire or toothed edges. Flower buds are pendent. Flowers are showy being carried on long wiry stems. Sepals 2 - 3, petals 4 - 6, in colors of white, yellow, orange, red, and purple. Flowers are usually short lived and are followed by the distinctive seed capsules that contain numerous pitted seeds. The viscous sap ranges in color from white to orange-red (Fig. 296, Fig 297, Fig. 298, Fig 299 and Fig. 300).
Figure 296. Papaver somniferum.
Figure 297. Papaver rhoeus.
Figure 298. Papaver croceum.
Figure 299. Papaver somniferum double flower.
Figure 300. Papaver somniferum capsule.
Toxic Principle and Mechanism of Action
The phenanthrene alkaloids including morphine, heroin, papaverine, and codeine, are principally found in the opium poppy, opium being the crude extract of a mixture of alkaloids obtained from the sap. Numerous isoquinoline alkaloids are present in other species of Papaveraceae [1,2]. All parts of the plants and especially in the sap and seeds contain the alkaloids. The seeds from opium poppies if eaten in quantity can result in detectable opiate levels in the urine [3].
The quantity and type of alkaloids present varies with the species of poppy, but all contain sufficient amounts to be considered toxic.
The Papaver alkaloids have a significant effect on the nervous system being agonists of the opioid receptor thereby causing a variety of effects ranging from drowsiness, depression, pain relief, euphoria, excitement, and coma depending on the dose consumed and the species of animal. High doses will cause miosis and severe respiratory depression. The alkaloids also affect the digestive system causing vomiting, decreased intestinal motility, and constipation.
Risk Assessment
Poisoning from poppies is rare in animals except where the plant trimmings are accidentally fed to livestock and horses. Poppies are more palatable when wilted.
Clinical Signs
In animals the signs of Papaver poisoning are usually mild and include excitement, ataxia, loss of appetite, decreased respiration, staring expression, drowsiness, and deep sleep [4-7].
Treatment is seldom necessary as signs are self limiting.
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1. Preininger V. Chemotaxonomy of Papaveraceae and Fumariaceae. In: The Alkaloids vol 29, Brossi A ed. Academic Press, Orlando Florida. 1986, 1-89.
2. Yasmin R, Naru AM. Biochemical analysis of Papaver somniferum (opium poppy). Biochemical Society Transactions. 19: 436S, 1991.
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Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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