Papaver glaucum

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

Papaver glacum, the Turkish Tulip or Turkish red poppy, is a poppy found in the region of Anatolia.

Features

Grows up to a height of 90 centimetres [3 feet] tall, this poppy withstands all climates, including the droughts of non-Arab Middle East. The flowers are of rich red colours, with black spots in the centre. The thin petals may be crispy. The flowers bloom to a diametre of 10 centimetres [4 inches.] The inner petals stick up, which resembles a tulip. Looks similar to the corn rose poppy Papaver rhœas & the Greek Red poppy [Papaver dubium.] The distinct characteristics is the black centre which emphasises the tulip-shaped petals surrounding it.

Growing

As for all poppies, best time to be sown is late autumn or early spring. The snow of winter helps "challenge" the poppies to grow good rooting systems, which results in a strong plant. Spacing for plants should be at the minimum of one-third a metre [at least a foot,] because the roots do not grow deep, & after just a few cetimetres they start growing horizontally. The disadvantage of their roots is that poppies do not do well being transplanted, & if so — one must take extreme cation & be careful when transplanting from Peat pots. Another problem with the roots of any type of poppy is that the roots will rot if they do not have proper drainage. One should not over water, & to prevent complications one must use a spray bottle when papaver plants are maturing.

Chemical structure

The Turkish Tulip contains the alkaloids morphine, ³-methylmorphine [codeine,] & paramorphine [thebaine] within the plant. Nevertheless, its blossom & foliage is only used for ornamental purposes [the alkaloidal content of the narcotics stated are relatively low, not worth the bother to extract opiates.]