Thulin, M. (1993) Paaveraceae and Fumariaceae in Flora of Somalia 1: 33-
Plants usually herbs, rarely shrubs or trees, often with white, yellow, or orang latex. Leaves usually alternate, sometimes subopposite, whorled, or basal, without stipules; blades simple or compound, if simple often lobed or deeply dissected. Inflorescences of solitary flowers or racemes. Flowers bisexual, radially or bilaterally symmetric; sepals 2-3(-4), imbricate, free or united, sometimes small, usually rapidly deciduous; petals 4-6(-12), rarely absent, in 1-2(-3() whorls, if flowers bilaterally symmetric, 1 or both of the outer petals spurred and the inner petals often united at tips; stamens 4, 6 or many; ovaries superior, usually 1-celled, with numerous ovules; styles present or absent; stigmas lobed, entire, or forming a dich-shaped, lobed structure. Fruits Capsules dehiscent or opening by valves or pores, less frequently, nutlike; seeds 1-many, with abundant endosperm.
The family Papaveraceae now includes, as subfamily Fumarioideae, the Fumariaceae. Members of the Papaveroideae (old Papaeraceae) have radially symmetric flowers with unspurred petals and many stamens. As currently interpreted (that is including the old Fumariaceae), the family inclues about 45 genera and 600 species and has its greated representation in temperate and tropical regions of the northern hemisphere. The description above is based on the treatments of Papaveraceae and Fumariaceae in the Flora of Somalia.
