Collecting Opium From Poppy Seed Capsule #1 is a photograph by Dr Jeremy Burgess. which was uploaded on May 2nd, 2013.
Collecting Opium From Poppy Seed Capsule #1
Macrophotograph of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, showing an unripe seed capsule. Opium is collected after the petals have fallen, leaving the... more
Title
Collecting Opium From Poppy Seed Capsule #1
Artist
Dr Jeremy Burgess.
Medium
Photograph
Description
Macrophotograph of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, showing an unripe seed capsule. Opium is collected after the petals have fallen, leaving the old stigma (top, just out of picture) & the carpel (capsule), in which the young seeds are contained. The circumference of the capsule is slit (seen here), allowing the milky latex to ooze out. It hardens to form a plastic gummy substance on exposure to air, which is scraped off & formed into balls. Crude opium contains numerous alkaloids including morphine (10%), heroin & codeine. It is used medicinally as a sedative & to relieve pain. It is also used extensively as a narcotic. Magnification X1 (at 35mm size).
Uploaded
May 2nd, 2013
More from Dr Jeremy Burgess.
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