Use of Climatic Data to Identify Potential Sites in the United States for Growing Papaver bracteatum as a Pharmaceutical Crop

Abstract

A procedure utilizing maps in the National Climatic Atlas was used to survey the United States to find areas for domesticating Papaver bracteatum, a wild poppy from the Trans-Caucasus. This poppy has unique properties which make it a possible heroinless source of codeine. Climatic conditions similar to the native habitat and requirements of Papaver bracteatum can be found in areas of western Utah, northern Nevada, southern Idaho, eastern Washington and Oregon, northeastern California and southwestern Wyoming. A detailed climatic analysis was made to evaluate more specific locations within this large area. A site near Medford, Oregon was selected as best suited for developing modern cultural procedures and improving strains to successfully grow crops of Papaver bracteatum.