ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 20, 1991                   TAG: 9104200366
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

MONTICELLO ALLOWED TO GROW ILLEGAL PLANT

Monticello officials will be allowed to continue to grow an illegal drug-producing plant on the grounds of Thomas Jefferson's home, federal drug authorities say.

Papaver somniferum, the 3-foot flowering poppy species that produces opium, has grown at Monticello since Jefferson's gardeners planted it in the early 19th century.

Groundskeepers continue to cultivate hundreds of the pink and red flowers in well-groomed gardens and sell packages of 30 seeds for $1.50 each at Monticello.

"Jefferson grew poppies as ornamental flowers just as he grew hemp to make rope," said Peggy Newcomb, Monticello's assistant director for grounds and gardens.

- Associated Press 


 by CNB