White-flowered pricklypoppy is an annual with thistle-like foliage. The clasping, very spiny leaves are deeply lobed and the leaves are alternating along the stem. Multiple flower stalks are produced and reach a maure height of about 3-4 feet. The flowers are produced for several months from late spring through summer. They are quite showy, with broad, frilly petals and bright yellow stamens (the male parts of the flower) in the center. The pollinated flowers form spiny seed capsules that open at the top. The poppy-type seeds are then released over time as the seed capsules are shaken by wind and rain.
Although the flowers are quite attractive, the very spiny nature of this wildflower limits its attractiveness in a landscape setting. I am not aware that either species of pricklypoppy has ever been offered for sale commercially in Florida. It is extremely adaptable to open sunny locations and would be easy to grow. If you are interested, be careful to limit its spread to only those areas where its prickly nature won't be a problem.
I found my first stand of Argemone mexicana early this summer in an island in a weedy parking lot. There weren't any mature seed pods so I came back the next week to look again... only to find they'd all been pulled out. Shoot!
ReplyDeleteYou have some great photos on your blog
ReplyDeleteYou have some great photos on your blog
ReplyDeleteFound your site researching white prickly Poppies. I saw you are looking for native wildlife and plant interactions. Persimmons... our tree feeds insects, Box Turtles, and Opossums. that's just what I've found in ours. I'm sure other wildlife enjoy them as well but those are the ones that keep coming back year after year.
ReplyDeleteJust found a small stand roadside between Quincy and Panacea in North Florida.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!