There are severe penalties: you should never grow this plant in your garden
Some plants contain psychogenic or toxic substances. Cultivation and use are therefore strictly regulated by law. Violation is also dearly for the ignorant hobby gardener. A hefty fine or even imprisonment threatens the plant fan who plants these beautiful flowers in the home bed.
In addition to kitchen herbs and vegetable plants, colorful, visually striking flowers are particularly popular with botany fans. However, if you want to beautify your own garden, you should find out in advance how the cultivation of certain plants is regulated by law. Hobby gardeners who have this plant in their garden face up to five years imprisonment.
Opium poppy is poisonous plant of the year
The long-stemmed plant with the bright red flowers that we are talking about is called the opium poppy. The Narcotics Act (BtMG) prohibits their cultivation. In 2021, the opium poppy was even named poisonous plant of the year.
Most of them know poppy seeds from the bakery. Whether on the Sunday bread roll or in the poppy seed Striezel – the small black seeds are very popular in baking. But poppy seeds are not only found on bread, rolls and in cakes. Parts of the plant are also used to make powerful medicines and even narcotics.
Opium poppy is the basis for drugs like heroin
In addition to the black seeds, which are used in the food industry, a crucial part of the opium poppy plant is the milky sap contained in the seed pods. Depending on the variety, this contains a lot of morphine.
In addition to the strong pain reliever morphine, raw opium can also be made from the dried milk juice, which forms the basis of certain intoxicants such as heroin.
Corn poppy as a legal alternative for the garden
That is why the cultivation of opium poppies is also a criminal offense. There is a risk of a fine or even up to five years in prison. There are exemptions for particularly low-opium varieties – however, a special permit is required for this.
It would therefore be easier to switch to a low-morphine alternative. So if you want to look at the beautiful flowers in your garden every day, you should grab the poppy. This shines in bright colors like its close relative, but is only slightly poisonous and therefore not prohibited by the Narcotics Act.
Categories: General