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Native Plant Database

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Argemone mexicana (Mexican pricklypoppy)
Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Argemone mexicana L.

Mexican pricklypoppy, Mexican prickly poppy, Yellow pricklypoppy

Papaveraceae (Poppy Family)

Synonyms: Argemone leiocarpa

USDA Symbol: arme4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The yellow prickly poppy, 8–18 inches tall, has a smooth or slightly prickly stem. The deeply lobed leaves are a whitish green, and the upper ones clasp the stem between their two lower lobes. The upper surface of the leaf is smooth. Flowers are yellow, about 2 1/2 inches across. The sap from this plant is bright yellow.

This thistle-leaved species occurs from Virginia and Tennessee to Florida and Texas and has escaped from cultivation northward.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Margin: Dentate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Size Notes: 1-3
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AZ , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , HI , IA , IL , IN , KS , LA , MA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT
Native Distribution: Virginia and Tennessee south to Florida and west to Texas; spreading northward to New England, Great Lakes, and Midwest.
Native Habitat: Disturbed areas.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), HI(I), PR(N), VI(N), CAN (W)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Sandy

Benefit

Warning: Seeds and other plant parts can be toxic if ingested. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Bibliography

Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Argemone mexicana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Argemone mexicana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Argemone mexicana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-08-29
Research By: TWC Staff

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