The Papaveraceae, informally known as the poppy family, are an economically important family of about 42 genera and approximately 775 known species of flowering plants in the order Ranunculales. The family is cosmopolitan, occurring in temperate and subtropical climates (mostly in the northern hemisphere) like Eastern Asia as well as California in North America. It is almost unknown in the tropics. Most are herbaceous plants, but a few are shrubs and small trees. The family currently includes two groups that have been considered to be separate families. Papaveraceae are known for diverse and colorful flowers with distinctive sepals. The plants may be annual, biennial, or perennial. Usually herbaceous, a few species form shrubs or evergreen trees. All parts contain a well-developed system of latex ducts called “laticifers”, that produce milky latex, a watery white, yellow or red juice. Read more on Wikipedia.