thistle poppy
Argemone polyanthemos
The plant produces a bright yellow, bitter latex sap that deters herbivores and was once used by indigenous peoples as a dye and topical treatment.
- Scientific name
- Argemone polyanthemos
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Ranunculales › Papaveraceae › Argemone
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Dry sandy soils, shortgrass prairies, pastures, and disturbed roadsides.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis)
- Range
- North Plains of North America, Great Plains, Chihuahuan Desert margins
- Size
- 40 to 100 cm tall
- Lifespan
- 1-2 years (Annual or Biennial)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Herbicide spraying, intensive agricultural tilling, and urban development.
- Safe to approach?
- Defensive. This plant is covered in sharp prickles and contains a toxic, bright yellow latex sap that can cause skin irritation or severe eye damage. Do not touch or harvest without thick gloves. If sap contacts skin, wash immediately with soap and water; if ingested, seek medical help.
Argemone polyanthemos ( crested pricklypoppy ) is an annual plant with yellow sap and showy white flowers in the poppy family (Papaveraceae).:63 It can be found in areas with dry soil in most of the North American southwest.:63 Because of its prickly defenses, and acrid taste from its poisons, grazing animals tend to avoid it, so it increases in numbers compared to other plants in grazed areas.:63
Photo: Brian Finzel, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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