Prickly Poppies
Argemone pleicantha
Prickly poppy is the name used for various species of the Argemone genus, all virtually indistinguishable from each other. Members of the poppy family (Papaveraceae) are characterized by flowers with numerous stamens and 4 to 6 petals.
This very branchy, pale green plant grows to 4 feet high and is covered with yellow pricklies. Long, very lobed, spiny leaves resembling thistles grow to 8 inches. All parts of this plant contain alkaloids that are poisonous. It is common throughout the West because not even cattle eat it.
Genus: Argemone
Range
Throughout the Southwest deserts from California east to Texas and to northern Nevada and Utah.
- Sonoran Desert (A. munita and A. platyceras)
- Chihuahuan Desert (A. polyanthemos)
- Great Basin Desert (A. pleicantha)
Habitat
Sandy or gravelly desert roadsides and washes below 8,000 feet.
Flowers
White, papery flowers with a bright, single eye of yellow stamens bloom year round. Flowers grow to 3 inches wide and have 6 broad, delicate, wrinkled petals.
Prickly poppies are also called
- Thistle Poppy
- Chicalote
- Cowboy's Fried Egg
Argemone platyceras
We have an online wildflower field guide that is designed to help you identify desert wildflowers by color, scientific name, region and common name. The pictures are sized to work on the iPod, iPhone, iPad and similar devices. With your iPod or phone you will easily be able to identify wildflowers while in the desert. Links for downloads are on the bottom of the Wildflower Field Guide page.
Photo tips: Most digital point-and-shoot cameras have a macro function - usually symbolized by the icon of a little flower. When you turn on that function, you allow your camera to get closer to the subject, looking into a flower for example. Or getting up close and personal with a bug. More on desert photography.
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What's Blooming Now - Check the Wildflower Reports
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