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Northington, David K.

Argemone albiflora

Argemone albiflora Hornem.

Bluestem Pricklypoppy, White Pricklypoppy, White Prickly Poppy

Papaveraceae (Poppy Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ARAL3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

The cupped, white flower is at the top of a tall, bristly stem; plant has white juice that turns yellow after it has dried.

A similar thistle-leaved species, a native of tropical America, is the Yellow Prickly Poppy (A. mexicana), which has yellow flowers. It occurs from Virginia and Tennessee to Florida and Texas and has escaped from cultivation northward.

From the Image Gallery

33 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Margin: Dentate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , FL , GA , IA , IL , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NY , OH , SC , TN , TX , WI
Native Distribution: Virginia south to Florida; west to Texas; north to Missouri.
Native Habitat: Common throughout Texas. Found in gravelly or sandy soils in disturbed areas, fields, open grassy areas.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Limestone-based. Caliche type. Sandy. Sandy Loam. Medium Loam. Clay Loam, Clay.
Conditions Comments: This well-armored plant provides pollen for bees and other insects, and the flower is delicately beautiful. After enjoying the spring bloom, it could be uprooted if desired.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Showy, Blooms ornamental
Use Wildlife: Nectar-Bees, Nectar-insects, Nectar-beetles
Warning: Seeds and other plant parts can be toxic and in some cases fatal to humans if ingested. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person�s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant�s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Deer Resistant: High

Find Seed or Plants

Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0049 Collected May 4, 1990 in Bexar County by Lottie Millsaps
NPSOT 0031 Collected Sept. 20, 1990 in Bexar County by Judith C. Berry

2 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 57 - Atlas of Florida Plants (2020) Institute for Systematic Botany
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1988 VOL. 5, NO.3 - Wildflowers in Bloom, Education and Tours, Poppies Brighten Barren Places, Pamel...
Wildflower Newsletter 1989 VOL. 6, NO.2 - Wildflower Network Operates in Louisiana, Wildflower Handbook Published, Researc...

Additional resources

USDA: Find Argemone albiflora in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Argemone albiflora in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Argemone albiflora

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-11-21
Research By: NPC

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