Mexican Poppy
Argemone mexicana

Family: Papaveraceae

What it is like

A spreading clump forming annual herb. It grows up to 1 m high and spreads to 30-40 cm across. The leaves do not have leaf stalks. The leaves have a green and white pattern. The leaves have deep irregular teeth along the edge. The flower has a very short stalk. It is at the end of the plant. It is yellow and has 6 petals. The fruit is a capsule and is prickly. This contains round, pitted, brown seeds which are sticky.

There are 32 Argemone species. The one in Tasmania may be Argemone ochroleuca.

Where it is found

A tropical to warm temperate plant. In Nepal it grows to about 1400 m altitude. It grows in semi arid regions. It can grow in areas with moderate moisture or which are seasonally dry. It can grow on poor, well-drained soils. It needs full sun. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 8-12. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Balkans, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Central America, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, Germany, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Martinique, Mediterranean, Mexico (country/location of origin), Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Slovenia, Socotra, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, St Helena, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tasmania, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The seeds are poisonous. Their oil is not edible. The plant contains some alkaloids and can have high levels of nitrate. The seeds are ground and used in preparation of vegetables. The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The stem is eaten as a vegetable.

It is sold in local markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, caution, vegetable, seed, stem

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Plants fruit throughout most of the year.

Its other names

Local names

Betakoa, Bharband, Bilayat, Bramhadandi, Bucoli, Chicalote, Dandaro, Datturi, Devil’s Fig, Fantsimboay, Golden Thistle of Peru, Kande, Kanta kusuma, Kardai, Kudiyoetti, Mehiški bodeči mak, Mlumajalaga, Ponnummattam, Prickly poppy, Pua kala, Seyal kanta, Shialkata, Sialkata, Siyalkanta, Tambala, Thorn Poppy, Tilinha-felendje, Udisamari

Synonyms

Argemone subfusiformis Ownbey; Argemone ochroleuca Sweet subsp. ochroleuca