At least four subfamilial groups have been proposed that that have distinctive flowers, thus making this floral formula very complicated! Subfamilies are Platystemonoideae, Papaveroideae, Chelidoniodeae, Eschscholzioideae, and Fumarioideae. The latter was previously recognized as a distinct family (Fumariaceae).
Plant Sex: Flowers bisexual.
Flowers: Sepals often CADUCOUS (early deciduous).
Papaveroideae - actinomorphic, perianth parts free. Petals crumpled in bud, wrinkled when expanded. Stamens numerous. Ovary with many carpels, placentation parietal.
Fumarioideae - zygomorphic (bilaterally symmetrical), outer 2 petals with spur, inner two apically connate. Stamens fused into two groups of 3. Ovary with two carpels with a replum (membrane) in between.
Inflorescence: Flowers solitary, or in cymes, racemes.
Fruits: Capsules opening by pores, valves, or longitudinal slits.
Seeds: With fleshy ARIL (elaiosome - ant dispersed).
Habit: Annual and perennial herbs, some woody. Sap milky (with latex, laticifers) containing ALKALOIDS or sap clear with alkaloids.
Leaves: Entire to lobed or compound, alternate to almost opposite or whorled.
Examples:
Chelidoniodeae
Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot)
Stylophorum diphyllum (celandine poppy)
Papaveroideae
Papaver somniferum (opium poppy)
Eschscholzioideae
Eschscholzia californica (California poppy)
