Considered as a weed by some, the
prickly poppy (Argemone munita)
is a flowering plant with large, white petals and silvery green leaves.
Its name refers to the prickly stems and leaves.
The picture shows an open flower—next to
Hunter Creek Waterfall Trail
—with its dark, globular stigma
surrounded by bright yellow stamens.
Often, you will find the crinkly
petals flapped over stamens and stigma by strong wind.
Prickly poppies are found widespread on dry, sandy or gravelly
flats and slopes outside densely forested areas.
Argemone munita is native to California and the Great Basin.
It has close relatives—also addressed as “prickly
poppy” due to sharp prickles—in other regions:
Argemone albiflora in high deserts from southern California to
east Texas and Argemone polyanthemos from Wyoming to New Mexico.
