Prickly Poppy, Mexican pricklypoppy
Argemone mexicana
Family: Papaveraceae
What it is like
A hardy pioneering poppy species with yellow flowers from Mexico and now widely naturalized in many parts of the world. Some very useful medicinal qualities and some suggestions that the leaves can be eaten. The seed oil is used for lighting and soap and potentially may be a Biodiesel. Common Names: Mexican pricklepoppy; Mexican pricklypoppy; Mexican thistle; prickly poppy; yellow thistle. Spanish: adormidera espinosa; cardo blanco; chicalote. French: argémone du Mexique; argemone mexicaine; pavot epineux. Portuguese: papoula-do-Mexico. Argentina: cardo amarillo. Bangladesh: Shialkata. Brazil: cardo-amarelo; cardo-santa; cardo-santa-maria; figo-do-inferno; papoula-de-espinho; papoula-espinhosa. Germany: Mexikanischer Stachelmohn. Haiti: chardon béni. India: agara; bharband; bharbhar; brahamadandi; bramandandu; kantakusama; katelisatyanasi; satyonasi. Indonesia: droedjoe; tjelangkringan. Italy: papavero messicano. Japan: Azami-Geshi. Kenya: ekijembajembe; mkumajalaga. Mauritius: chardon du pays. Mexico: chicalote. Myanmar: kye-ja. Netherlands: stekelpapaver. Niger: Boginahi; Dàyí gííwáá; Hákóórín kádà; Káákí rúwàn Allàh; Kàankámárkà tà bíí kà; kamukamu; Kánkààmáá; Karanko; Kùùrár fataakee; Kwarakko; Kwaranko; Wagiri; Wasiri. Nigeria: Boginahi; Dàyí gííwáá; Hákóórín kádà; Káákí rúwàn Allàh; Kàankámárkà tà bíí kà; kamukamu; Kánkààmáá; Karanko; Kùùrár fataakee; Kwarakko; Kwaranko; Wagiri; Wasiri. Pakistan: kanderi; kundiari; sialkanta. Paraguay: Cardo santo. Puerto Rico: cardosanto. South Africa: yellow-flowered Mexican poppy. Zimbabwe: umjelemani.
Argemone mexicana is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Dry soils along roadsides and in waste places and fields.
South-western N. America. Naturalized in C. and S. Europe.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Leaves No further details are given but caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity at the top of the page.
Oil: Oil
Medicine
Rating: 3
The whole plant is analgesic, antispasmodic, possibly hallucinogenic and sedative. It contains alkaloids similar to those in the opium poppy (P. somniferum) and so can be used as a mild pain-killer. The fresh yellow, milky, acrid sap contains protein-dissolving substances and has been used in the treatment of warts, cold sores, cutaneous affections, skin diseases, itches etc. It has also been used to treat cataracts and has been taken internally in the treatment of dropsy and jaundice. The root is alterative and has been used in the treatment of chronic skin diseases. The flowers are expectorant and have been used in the treatment of coughs and other chest complaints. The seed is demulcent, emetic, expectorant and laxative. An infusion, in small quantities, is used as a sedative for children, but caution is advised since the oil in the seed is strongly purgative. The seed has also been used as an antidote to snake poisoning. The pounded seeds, mixed with mustard oil, are applied externally to treat itchy skin. The oil from the seed is demulcent and purgative. It has been used externally in the treatment of skin problems. Caution is advised in the use of this oil, prolonged ingestion produces toxic effects resembling those occurring in epidemic dropsy.
Alterative: Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.
Analgesic: Relieves pain.
Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
Antitussive: Prevents or relieves coughing.
Demulcent: Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.
Emetic: Induces vomiting.
Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
Hallucinogenic: Causes the mind to hallucinate.
Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.
Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Warts: Used in the treatment of warts, corns etc.
Other
Rating: 2
A semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed, used for lighting, soap etc. A medicinal fixed oil (essential oil?) is obtained from the seed. Biodiesel production may be possible from the seed oil using crystalline manganese carbonate.
Essential: Essential oils that are used in perfumery, medicines, paint solvents, insect repellents etc.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Easily grown in a light soil in a sunny position. Does best in a poor well-drained soil. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. Usually grown as a hardy annual in Britain. It resents being transplanted and should be sown in situ.
Propagating it: Seed - sow April in situ. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 15°c.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
All parts of the plant, including the seed, contain toxic alkaloids.
This plant can be weedy or invasive. A widespread annual weed to agricultural crops and wastelands especially tropics and warm temperate regions.
Its other names
Local names
Synonyms
A. ochroleuca.