About Poppy Flowers

Names: Poppy Flower, Papaver.

Varieties: Oriental poppy, Icelandic poppy. Most are single-flowering varieties, but some are available in semidouble forms.

Colors: The Icelandic variety is available in shades of white, yellow, pink, and orange. The Oriental variety is most popular in oranges and reds, but is also available in white and pink.

Scent: Fresh, mild scent.

Freshness: Purchase or cut in bud stage, but the bud must show some color of the blossom.

Vase Life: Approximately 3 to 5 days. Poppies must be seared on the ends and placed in warm water to be used as a cut flower, See care and conditioning tip 27.

Availability: Early summer for the Oriental variety, all summer for the Icelandic type.

Cost: Moderately priced.

Meaning: Consolation

Note: Poppy flowers are also associated with sleep, as the narcotic drug opium can be extracted from the latex of the young pods of a variety of Oriental poppy. Two important drugs manufactured from opium are widely used in treatment of pain - codeine and morphine. Poppies are also used in cooking, mainly in baked goods. The seeds are extracted and toasted before use. These seeds are not dangerous to consume.

Arranging Tip: Poppies at all stages can be used as accents in arrangements. See flower arranging tip, 16.

Other: Poppy flowers have fuzzy stems that quickly decompose in water, resulting in extra bacterial growth. Change the water frequently to prolong vase life. See also flower care tip, 31, and flower growing tip, 20.

Source: About Poppy Flowers