P (2-x)| Family: | Papaveraceae |
|---|---|
| Common name: | poppy family [Zomlefer, pp. 45-49] |
| Diversity: | Worldwide: 26 genera; ~200 species U.S.: 13 genera PNW (Hitchcock & Cronquist): 4 genera |
| Flower -- Vegetative Features -- Economic Importance -- Flower Images-- Web Sites | |
| Flower | |
|---|---|
| K2-3 Co4-12
S P (2-x) |
|
| Sexuality: | bisexual |
| Symmetry: | actinomorphic |
| Inflorescence: | usu. solitary, some with cymes or racemes |
| Calyx (sepals): | 2 to 3, fully enclosing bud, quickly deciduous |
| Corolla (petals): | 4 to 12, separate, sometimes biseriate (two series), often crumpled |
| Androecium: | numerous stamens, in several series |
| Gynoecium: | 2 to several carpels, united, superior ovary (=hypogynous) |
| Fruit: | capsule opens with valves or pores |
| Other features: | genetic self-incompatability system (gametophytic type) |
| Vegetative Features | |
|---|---|
| usu. milky or colored latex sap, containing alkaloids | |
| Leaves: | alternate, entire to much divided, exstipulate |
| Life-history: | annual to perennial |
| Habit: | herbs, shrubs, rarely small trees |
| Distribution & Ecology: | sub-tropical and temperate regions of N. Hemisphere, well represented in w. N. America |
| Some Northwest Genera: | Eschscholzia California poppy Papaver poppy |
| Economic Importance | |
|---|---|
| Crops: | Papaver somniferum opium poppy (alkaloids in latex, not seeds) |
| Ornamentals: | Eschscholzia California poppy Papaver poppy |
| Weedy and pest species: | |
| Examples | Argemone |
|---|---|
| Eschscholzia |
|
| Papaver |
|
| click on the genus name for a flower image | |
| Texas A & M Univ. Image Gallery | A collection of images for plants in the Papaveraceae, listed alphabetically by genus. |
Maintained by the Reed College Biology Department
Last Modified 2/2/98
Questions/Comments to Keith.Karoly@directory.reed.edu