Drug Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis) seeds

Fumitory's scientific name "Fumaria" comes from the Latin word for smoke (fumus) and is allegedly etymologically based on the fact that the juice of this wild poppy plant is similar to smoke, both in terms of the smell and the tear-jerking response of the eye it causes. On the other hand, the transparent flowers or the light blue-gray colored leaves that look like ascending smoke could also have given the fumitory its name.

Fumaria officinalis is native to Central Europe and grows wild on the edges of fields and on rough pastures. The plant branches out and grows up to 50cm high, bears spherical fruits, and is a decorative summer flower. Earth smoke, as it is also called, is a wild poppy plant traditionally used as an incense herb with a stimulating effect on the liver and gallbladder and as a protection against skin diseases and eczema. The drug fumitory is toxic in high doses.