The Papaveraceae proper encompass 23-30 genera with ca. 250 species. Recent taxonomic changes subsumed the Fumariaceae and Pteridophyllaceae into the Papaveraceae, boosting the latter to 44 genera and ca. 920 species. We treat the Fumariaceae separately. The Papaveraceae (sensu stricto) occur mainly in the Northern Hemisphere, in a variety of habitats ranging from arctic and alpine to arid; up to 2,000 m. These are mainly annual, biennial, or perennial herbs or subshrubs, although the family includes some woody shrubs. The stems are erect, simple or branching; sometimes spiny. Many species produce clear or milky toxic latex. The leaves are basal, alternate, opposite or whorled; often deeply cut or divided into leaflets. The flowers are medium-sized or large, often nodding; unifloral or multifloral (in cymes or racemes); radially symmetrical, with 2-3 sepals and 4-12 petals; usually odorless, but brightly coloured. The fruit is a spherical or linear capsule.

		White Prickly-poppy (Argemone polyanthemos)
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