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When the golden poppy is pollinated the fruit that develops is long
and slender. It dries and eventually splits shooting tiny round
black seeds in all directions. The golden poppy is a 'drought
escaper'. The seeds can lie dormant in the ground for years waiting for rain when
they take root quickly and flower suddenly
showering the land in gold (left).
Desert Indian tribes are reported to have
eaten the plant's leaves and used the pollen as a cosmetic to kill lice and medicinally as a pain killer to treat toothache,
saw throat and insomnia. Generally,
poppy
seeds are a valuable food very rich in calcium, phosphorus and
zinc. |
