It's Time To Celebrate The Poppy's Power:
Hello Weekly Whorlers! Get ready to discover the wonderful world of Poppies (Papaver sp.). They aren't just pretty faces, or color filling a hillside in the spring; poppies are packed with fascinating history, surprising uses, and some seriously cool science. Don't doze off this week as we dive into the power of Poppies!
Once Upon A Time...A Long, Long, Long Time Ago:
Poppies and humans have been interacting for millennia, dating back as far as 6000BC.
Ancient sites in Western and Central Europe show that people have cultivated Poppies as a source of food and medicine.
The ancient Sumerian people are believed to hold it origins, as they are also recognized as the first to use opium.
The plant and its properties made its way around the world along the Silk Road, and soon found itself as a staple in food, art, jewelry, and extracurricular activities.
During World War I, the Poppy became a symbol of sacrifice and remembrance for fallen soldiers. Today people around the world wear Poppies to honor those who died in conflict.
Poppin' Into The Kitchen, Medicine Cabinet, And Garden:
Poppies and their seeds have long been used in the kitchen. Likely you have seen them on bagels, muffins, breads and cakes. These tiny powerhouses are surprisingly nutritious and packed with healthy fats, fiber, carbs and minerals like calcium and magnesium. Poppy seed oil is also widely used in cooking, salad dressings and even paints and varnishes!
Ancient civilizations discovered long ago that Poppies have serious medicinal properties, especially in the Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum). Opium is derived from the seeds which has also led way to drugs like morphine and codeine. These drugs are incredibly important when it comes to pain management, and have been used for centuries. However, illicit drugs have also stemmed from the Poppy, which is why modern cultivation is strictly controlled in many parts of the world.
In the garden, you can find Poppies poppin' up in the spring and add a beautiful pop of color to any landscape. There are many native and cultivated species to choose from and can come in basically any color in the rainbow.
Did You Know?
Poppies do not have a strong scent, and are described as earthy or smoky smelling.
Poppies can go from seed to flower in just 90 days.
Poppies are one of the best pollinator magnets out there; bees and butterflies love their pollen.
There are over 70 species of Poppies.
They are deemed the "sleepy" flower due to their sedative properties. Greeks and Romans associated them with sleep, dreams and even death. Just ask Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.
Poppies are hardy and drought tolerant and are typically one of the first plants to return to disturbed or burned area.
We hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about these precious flowers and their enormous impact on the world. The next time you see a wild poppy field, or order a lemon poppy seed muffin, know that their beauty and taste have been celebrated for as long as we can remember!