Opium poppy

Opium poppy is the species of plant from which opium and poppy seeds are derived. Opium is the source of many narcotics, including morphine (and its derivative heroin), thebaine, codeine, papaverine, and noscapine. The Latin botanical name means the "sleep-bringing poppy", referring to the sedative properties of some of these opiates. Poppy seeds are commonly used in cuisine from many different cultures. They can be dry roasted and ground to be used in wet curry (curry paste) or dry curry. They have a creamy and nut-like flavor, and when used with ground coconut, the seeds provide a unique and flavor-rich curry base.