flower from which opium is derived

Opium is derived from the opium poppy , a flower whose scientific name is Papaver somniferum. The drug comes specifically from the milky latex inside the unripe seed pods of this poppy, which is collected and dried to form raw opium.

Quick Scoop

• The flower from which opium is derived is the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum).

• Its unripe seed pods contain a milky latex that, when dried, becomes opium.

• This latex is rich in alkaloids like morphine and codeine, which are used to make powerful pain-relief medicines as well as illegal drugs such as heroin.

What is the opium poppy?

The opium poppy is a flowering plant in the poppy family, grown in many temperate regions around the world. It is also cultivated for edible poppy seeds and as an ornamental garden plant, in addition to its role in opium production.

How opium is obtained from the flower

• Farmers score (lightly cut) the green, unripe seed pods of the opium poppy.
• A sticky, milky fluid (latex) seeps out, which is then allowed to dry on the pod and is scraped off as raw opium.

Important safety note

Opium and its derivatives (like heroin and some misused prescription opioids) are highly addictive and dangerous when used without proper medical supervision. Laws in many countries strictly control cultivation of opium poppies and the production and use of opium-based substances.

TL;DR: The flower from which opium is derived is the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), and opium comes from the dried milky latex of its unripe seed pods.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.