Prickly Poppy, Mexican pricklypoppy

Argemone mexicana

Physical Characteristics

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.

Distribution

South-western N. America. Naturalized in C. and S. Europe[50].

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Oil Edible Uses: Oil Leaves[177] No further details are given but caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity at the top of the page.

Medicinal Uses

Alterative Analgesic Antispasmodic Antitussive Demulcent Emetic Expectorant Hallucinogenic Purgative Sedative Skin Warts The whole plant is analgesic, antispasmodic, possibly hallucinogenic and sedative[46, 61, 178, 181, 192, 254]. It contains alkaloids similar to those in the opium poppy (P. somniferum) and so can be used as a mild pain-killer[254]. 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[207, 243, 254]. It has also been used to treat cataracts[254] and has been taken internally in the treatment of dropsy and jaundice[240, 243]. The root is alterative and has been used in the treatment of chronic skin diseases[240, 243]. The flowers are expectorant and have been used in the treatment of coughs and other chest complaints[254]. The seed is demulcent, emetic, expectorant and laxative[240, 243]. 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[254]. The seed has also been used as an antidote to snake poisoning[240, 243]. The pounded seeds, mixed with mustard oil, are applied externally to treat itchy skin[272]. The oil from the seed is demulcent and purgative[254, 272]. It has been used externally in the treatment of skin problems[240, 243, 272]. Caution is advised in the use of this oil, prolonged ingestion produces toxic effects resembling those occurring in epidemic dropsy[240].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant, including the seed, contain toxic alkaloids[175].