Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Papaveraceae
(Poppy Family)


The Papaveraceae have regular flowers with alternate leaves. The ovary is superior and matures as a capsule. There are many stamens, and petals in multiples of four. The flowers are usually showy. Many plants in this family contain narcotic alkaloids. Opium comes from Papaver somiferum which is not native here.



Argemone pleiacantha (Prickly Poppy)
Eschscholtzia californica ssp. mexicana (Mexican Poppy)
Corydalis aurea (Golden Smoke, Scrambled Eggs)


Back to the Index