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bluestem pricklypoppy

Scientific Name: Argemone albiflora ssp. texana

Family: Papaveraceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual, Biennial

Other Names:

       

Argemone albiflora: The White Prickly Poppy

Argemone albiflora, commonly known as the white prickly poppy, bluestem prickly poppy, or Texas prickly poppy, is an intriguing plant with a notable appearance.

Considerations for Pets and Children

  • This plant is characterized by needle-like spikes, contributing to its "prickly" common name.
  • A sticky, yellow sap is released when the stem is broken.
  • All parts of the plant, including the sap and seeds, contain alkaloids and are considered potentially hazardous.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Argemone albiflora Hornem.
  • Common Names: White prickly poppy, bluestem prickly poppy, Texas prickly poppy, Carolina poppy, Mexican poppy, Prickly Poppy, Fried Egg Flower, Desert Poppy.
  • Family: Papaveraceae (Poppy Family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Subspecies: Argemone albiflora ssp. texana G.B. Ownbey and Argemone albiflora ssp. albiflora.
  • Synonyms: A. alba, Argemone platyceras, A. intermedia, A. intermedia var. polyanthemos.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to tropical America.
  • Found in locations such as Big Bend National Park, Texas, and Fort Frederica National Monument, St. Simons Island, Georgia.

Ecological Role

  • Considered weedy or invasive in some discussions.

Morphology and Growth Habits

  • Small, erect plant.
  • Annual flowering plant.
  • Prickly leaves and bristly stems.
  • White, cupped flowers. A rare pink form has been observed.
  • Deep-rooted.

Quirky Facts

  • The Lakota used the yellow sap.
  • It is said, &quotIt&#39s tricky picking pretty prickly poppy plants.&quot

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Members of the Papaveraceae family have a long history as medicinal plants.

Further Information

  • Dave's Garden: A community for sharing gardening tips and ideas.
  • Steven Foster Photography: Specializes in medicinal and aromatic plants.
  • Discover Life: Provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Argemone albiflora.
  • USDA Plants Database: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ARALT
  • State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory: https://floridamemory.com/items/show/95666
  • Wildflower.org: www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ARALT