Papaveraceae

Papaveraceae

Papaveraceae (pronounced /ˌpæpəˈvɛrəsiː/), also known as the poppy family, is a family of flowering plants. The family is cosmopolitan, occurring in temperate and subtropical climates, but almost unknown in the tropics. Most are herbaceous plants, but a few are shrubs and small trees.

Etymology

The name Papaveraceae comes from the type genus, Papaver, which is the Latin name for the poppy. The name "poppy" comes from the Old English "papig", which is believed to be a derivative of the Latin "papa", meaning "food" or "milk", a reference to the milky sap found in some species.

Description

Members of the Papaveraceae are annual, biennial or perennial herbs, often with milky or colored sap. The leaves are alternate and sometimes lobed or pinnately divided. The flowers are large and showy, with four to six petals and numerous stamens. The fruit is a capsule, often with many seeds.

Genera

The Papaveraceae family includes about 42 genera and approximately 775 known species. Some of the most well-known genera include Papaver (poppies), Eschscholzia (California poppies), Argemone (prickly poppies), and Chelidonium (celandines).

Uses

Many species of Papaveraceae are cultivated for their attractive flowers. Some species, particularly the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), are grown for their alkaloids, which have medicinal and psychoactive properties.

Related Terms

• Alkaloid
• Capsule (fruit)
• Flowering plant
• Genus
• Herbaceous plant
• Perennial plant
• Species
• Stamen
• Temperate climate
• Tropics

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Papaveraceae
• Wikipedia's article - Papaveraceae

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