Picture Details
Opium poppy and tools for collecting crude opium
Partner:
Kew GardensImage reference:
ceb0060Size:
290 x 222 mmDescription:
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These tools were used to collect opium latex from the green seed capsule (A) of the poppy. A small eight pointed knife (B), consisting of four doubled pointed blades (C) bound together with thread, was used to score the plant. The droplets of white, milky opium were then collected with an iron spoon (D). On drying, the fluid became a dark brown or black colour.
