Flower of the Month - Poppy Fragrances
Flower of the Month - Poppy Fragrances
August is Poppy month...
The poppy in Greek and Roman mythology was an offering to the dead, symbolizing the "eternal sleep". Remember the magical poppy field in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz threatening Dorothy to sleep forever. However, the bright red color of the poppy also signifies the resurrection after death. The red corn poppy has become the Rememberance Day symbol of soldiers who have died during wartime which stems from the trench warfare fought in the red poppy fields at Flanders during WWI. Medicinal uses of opium are derived from the poppy, and the seeds which contain both codeine and morphine are used to relieve pain.
Poppy is a flower species known as papaver from the Papaveraceae family. The poppy grows in a variety of sizes, smells, and colors ranging from white, pink, yellow, orange, blue, and the most commonly recognized red poppy. They have very dark, often black, centers and can grow as large as 6 inches across and 4 feet tall. They bloom from late spring to early summer, and have relatively little scent.
In honor of the month of August, we pay homage to the Poppy.
("Flower of the Month: Poppy Fragrances." The Perfume Girl Aug. 2013)