Poppy family plants (Papaveraceae)

Poppy family (Papaveraceae)

Papaver rhoeas

Photo of Papaver rhoeas L.

The Poppy family –Papaveraceae– comprises about 200 species of plants mainly spread in temperate countries.

Most of them are herbs with big colorful flowers.

They are very important because all of them contain alkaloids, therefore they are cultivated as drugs or medicinal plants.

poppy draw

Papaver rhoeas

Leaves (1): Generally alternate and divided; simple or composite without stipules.
stems (2): Herbaceous with latex.
Flowers:

Very big and colorful. Generally solitary and regular.

Calyx: 2 sepals which falls in bloom.

Corolla: Generally 4 petals (3)

Stamens: Several.
Ovary: Superior.
Carpels: One. Sometimes several.
Fruit:

Capsule. (4)

poppy draw

Genera

It comprises about 20 genera. The most important ones are the following:

ARGEMONE

CERATOCAPNOS

CHELIDONIUM

CORYDALIS

ESCHSCHOLDIA

FUMARIA

GLACIUM

HYPECOUM

MENOCOPSIS

PAPAVER

PLATYCAPNOS

ROEMERIA

RUPICAPNOS

SARCOCAPNOS

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This article was endorsed by Julián Masats - Technical agricultural engineer specialized in horticulture and gardening.
Editorial
Written by Editorial Botanical-online team in charge of content writing

4 August, 2022

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