Unripe Seed Capsule Of Opium Poppy is a photograph by Dr Jeremy Burgess/science Photo Library. which was uploaded on September 24th, 2018.
Unripe Seed Capsule Of Opium Poppy
Opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, showing an unripe seed capsule. Opium is collected after the petals have fallen, leaving the old stigma (starfish-... more
Title
Unripe Seed Capsule Of Opium Poppy
Artist
Dr Jeremy Burgess/science Photo Library.
Medium
Photograph
Description
Opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, showing an unripe seed capsule. Opium is collected after the petals have fallen, leaving the old stigma (starfish- shaped) & 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.
Uploaded
September 24th, 2018
More from Dr Jeremy Burgess/science Photo Library.
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