Database on medicinal plants used in ayurveda - AYUSH Research ...

AHIPHENA
BOTANICAL NAME: Papaver somniferum L.
FAMILY: Papaveraceae
SYNONYMS
Ahiphellaka, Aphenak, Aphuka, Chosa, Kaskhas, Khakasa, Khasa, Khasbija,
Khasphalakshira, Khastila, Lasatphala, Sukshmabijaa, Sukshmatandula,
Tilabheda (Sharma, 1978; D.N., 1982; B.N., 1982; R.N., 1982).
VERNACULAR NAMES
Eng.- Opium poppy, White poppy, Opium poppy capsules, Poppy seeds,
Bale-wort, Peony poppy, Carnation poppy, Joan silverpin, White garden
poppy. Hindi- Afim, Afiun, Afyan, Postekebeej, Post, Pest, Khas-khasa, Afin,
Sufeed srah. Beng.- Posto-dheri, Pasto, Post. Guj.- Aphina, Khuskhus,
Posta.Kan.- Afim, Biligasgase, Khasakhasi, Gasagase, Kasakase, Biligasge.
Mal.- Afiun, Kashakhasa, Avin, Karappu, Kasakasa. Mar.- Khuskhus, Aphu,
Pasta Punj.- Afim, Doda, Khashkhash, Khaishkhash, Post. Tam.- Abini,
Gashagasha, Gashgashatol, Kasakasa, Pothakkai, Postaka, Postakatol. Tel.-
Abhini, Gasalu, Kasakasa, Gasagasalu, Nallamandu, Posta-katol,
Nallamanthu. Arab.- Abunom, Afiun, Bizrulkhashkhash, Khashkhashulbaiza,
Qishrulkhashkhash. Pers.- Afiun, Khashkhash, Koknar, Khashkhashsufaid,
Postekoknar, Tukhmekoknar. Urdu- Khashkhashsufaid (Nadkarni, 1976;
Kirtikar and Basu, 1933; Anonymous, 1966; Yoganarasimhan, 2000; Watt,
1972; Anonymous, 1995; Chatterjee and Pakrashi, 1994; Anonymous, 2000a;
Mukerji, 1953; Chopra et al., 1986; Sharma, 1978).
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
An erect, usually glaucous, annual robust herb, 60-120 cm high. Leaves
simple, sessile, alternate, 15-25 x 8-15 cm, ovate-oblong, shallowly
pinnatifid, lobed, base cordate, irregularly toothed margin, acute,
amplexicaule. Flowers attractive, bisexual, large, 5-6 cm across, white or
purplish variegated with a dark stain at the base. Capsule globose or ovoid,
glabrous, upto 4 cm in diameter, stalked. Seeds white or greyish-brown to
black, reniform. Flowering and Fruiting: April-August (Gamble, 1967;
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