Poppy family
Description
A family of herbs, occurring mostly in northern temperate regions, with milky latex in all parts (Papaveraceae 1).
The alternate leaves are entire, or pinnately lobed. The flowers (Papaveraceae 2) (P. somniferum 4) are mostly large, single or in inflorescences, regular, with 2 sepals that soon fall, and 4 overlapping and crinkly petals. Stamens are numerous and in several whorls, the ovary is superior. The fruit is a capsule that opens by valves or pores.
There are about 25 genera.
Use
The family is known because of the opium poppy, the source of opium and its derivate heroin; and poppyseed.
Described species
Papaver somniferum, opium poppy