Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy, is the species of plant from which opium and poppy seeds are derived.Opium is the source of many drugs, including morphine (and its derivative heroin), thebaine, codeine, papaverine, and noscapine.The Latin botanical name means the sleep-bringing poppy, referring to the sedative properties of some of these opiates.apaver somniferum has many subspecies or varieties and cultivars. Colors of the flower vary widely, as do other physical characteristics, such as number and shape of petals, number of flowers and fruits, number of seeds, color of seeds, production of opium, etc.