Papaver somniferum

This is the flower bud of the Opium Poppy. You can see the lovely texture to the outside of it, some folk would say it has the feel of moleskin. I just think it tickles and feels lovely.

An interesting fact about all Poppies is that their seed is very long lived, that is why they often appear at roadside's where there has been construction work carried out. The seeds have layen dormant and are brought to the surface during the construction only for them to start growing and flower. Some seeds have been found that are several 1000 year old and were still viable.

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Papaveraceae
Genus: Papaver
Species: P. somniferum
Binomial name
Papaver somniferum

This lovely plant has many uses, a valuable food source, a source of many medicines that are in the opiate group, there are also criminals who use this plant to supply Opium to the drug trade and finally as a decorative garden plant see next pic.

Personally I think it is a much maligned plant, yes it is used by drug lords, however the vast majority of use's are legal and we would never think of them. Next time your having a poppy seed roll or pastry remember it is from this plant to!