| Argemone munita | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Papaveraceae |
| Genus: | Argemone |
| Species: | A. munita |
| Binomial name | |
| Argemone munita Dur. & Hilg. | |
Argemone munita is a species of prickly poppy known by the common names flatbud prickly poppy and chicalote. "Munita" means "armed", in reference to the many long prickles.[1] This flower is native to California, where it is widespread throughout the western part of the state and its eastern deserts, on slopes to 10,000 feet, and along roadsides.[1] Its range also extends into Baja California, Arizona, and Nevada.[2]
This poppy bears its flowers on erect, spiny stems which can exceed a meter in height. The sap is yellow.[3] The blue-green or mint-green, lobed leaves are also very prickly. The white poppy blooms usually have six crinkly petals, each up to 4 centimeters long, and three sepals.[3] The center of the flower is surrounded by a dense ring of up to 250 small yellow or orange stamens bearing the pollen.[1] The flowers are often compared to sunny-side-up eggs, with the dark pistil in the center as a dot of pepper.[1][2] The fruits are spiny white capsules 3 to 5 centimeters long, each containing many small seeds. The leaves and seeds contain alkaloids which are probably toxic.[3]
crinkly white petals
many stamens
yellow sap, on capsule
plant backlit, prickly leaves
return bloom after fire
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