SafePlants

Argemone glauca: Smooth Pricklypoppy

Argemone glauca, commonly known as Pua Kala, Smooth Pricklypoppy, Hawaiian Poppy, Hawaiian Prickly Poppy, or Beach Poppy, is a plant with a distinctive appearance and interesting distribution.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant is known as a "pricklypoppy", implying the presence of thorns or prickles.
• The text describes seed pods.
• Sap is contained in other species of poppies that could be a concern.

Considerations for Children

• The plant is known as a "pricklypoppy", implying the presence of thorns or prickles.
• The text describes seed pods.
• Sap is contained in other species of poppies that could be a concern.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Argemone glauca (Nutt. ex Prain) Pope
• Family: Papaveraceae (implied, as it's mentioned as part of the Poppy family, Genus Argemone L.)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Synonym: Argemone glauca var. inermis O. Deg. & I. Deg.
• Variety: Argemone glauca var. decipiens G.B. Ownbey
• Common Names: Pua Kala, Smooth Pricklypoppy, Hawaiian Poppy, Hawaiian Prickly Poppy, Beach Poppy, Puakala, Kala, Naule, Pokalakala

Distribution and Habitat

• The plant is found in Hawaii (e.g., Kona, Oahu, Maui Nui, Puu Laau).

Morphological Characteristics

• The plant has a smooth or slightly prickly stem (in the case of the yellow prickly poppy).
• The leaves are deeply lobed, whitish-green, smooth on the upper surface, and sometimes prickly underneath.
• It produces seed pods.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The text mentions that photos of the plant are credited to Forest and Kim Starr from Plants of Hawaii.

Additional Resources

• Discover Life provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Argemone glauca.
• The National Plant Database (2010) is a source for taxonomic information.
• Getty Images provides stock photos of the plant.