Papaver somniferum, commonly known as the opium poppy, is believed to have been first cultivated in the Near East around 3400 BCE. It was used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans for its medicinal properties, and by the Middle Ages, it had spread throughout Europe and Asia. Today, it is still widely cultivated for its seeds, which are used in baking, and for its alkaloids, which are used in the production of opium, morphine, and other drugs.