Opium poppy,Papaver somniferum,showing an unripe seed capsule with a flower in the background. 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 | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Burgess, Dr. Jeremy |
Bildgröße: | 3561 px × 5106 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |