20b PAPAVERACEE. (POPPY FAMILY.) 
twice as many free petals in two sets, indefinite, usually numerous, free stamens, and a 
compound pistil. In Hschscholizia the sepals are united, and the stamens adhere to the 
claws ot the petals. 
This small but interesting order of plants, with the exception of one species, is con- 
fined to the northern hemisphere. Fifteen species, belonging to eleven genera, are natives 
of the United States, and several European species have become naturalized. Esch- 
scholtzia and Platystemon are the most widely distributed of the California genera. 
Romneya Coulteri is a half shrubby plant, with smooth pinnatifid leaves and very large white flowers 
(3, 4, or even 6 inches across), a native of the coast from San Diego to Santa Barbara County. 
Arctomecon is another white-flowered plant, with somewhat hairy, nearly entire leaves; the petals 
persistent; found in south Nevada and Utah. 
Canbya, a recently discovered plant of south-east California, is the smallest of the order, being 
scarcely an inch in height. The small white petals are persistent. 
Papaver Somniferum, a native of Asia, furnishes opium, which is the dried juice of the plant. A 
variety of this species is cultivated in this State for the seeds, from which is expressed poppy oil, used 
by artists. This oil is also used as a substitute for olive oil in the preparation of salads, etc. 
* Herbs with entire leaves, the uppermost whorled or opposite, sepals 3. 
Filiform stigmas 6 to many (pistil hollow).... ........+. 0+: ge lsaevecs Platystemon. 1 
Flatistignias: 3. sisisisisiess aucege Gealovtsauarenecut Nise Aevaaumbenah har onds Platystigma. 2 
** Terbs with divided or lobed leaves. 
Slightly lobed stigma, style distinct; sepals 2........ vc tnt teees ..... Meconopsis. 
Filiform stigmas unequal; sepals united to form a conical cap.......Bschscholtzia. 
Entire plant bristly with prickles; sepals 3, each with a horn.. Argemone. la 
*** Shrub with entire leaves. 
Buds clobulary stigmas 2.00... scenes cee eee sien Shoes anaes Dendromecon. 5 
la. ARGEMONE, L. 
Sepals 2 or 3, spinosely beaked. Petals 4 or 6. Stamens numerous, with linear 
«anthers. Leaves sinuately pinnatifid, prickly toothed. 
‘1, A. hispida, Gr. (Chicalote). Erect, armed with rigid bristles and prickles; leaves 
' 3 to 6 inches long; flowers, nearly white, 2 to 4 inches in diameter; capsule 14 inches 
long. 
1 PLATYSTEMON, Benth. Crram-Cups. 
Sepals 3... Petals 6, Stamens many, with flattened filaments and linear anthers. 
Torulose carpels at first united; stigmas free. 
1. P. Californicus, Benth. Slender, branching, 6 to 12 inches high; villous, with 
spreading hairs; leaves 2 to 4 inches long, sessile or clasping, broadly linear, obtuse. 
