White prickly poppy

Appearance

Individuals of this species are erect, prickly deep-rooted plants with a white flower that contains many yellow and red stamens. The flowers grow solitarily or in loose cymes at the top of the plant. It contains grayish-green, long lanceolate to ovate leaves. The lower leaves are lobed to the midrib while the upper leaves are more shallow. The upper surface of the leaf is smooth although it has a few prickles along the midrib while the lower surface of the leaf is spiny along the midrib and main vein.

Distribution

" Argemone albiflora" can be found in the area ranging from east Texas to northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. Native to areas of Southern California's High Desert such as Twentynine Palms.

Habitat

White prickly poppy is an annual or biennial plant that often grows in colonies in sandy or gravelly soils. This plant is often found along fences, roadsides, railroad tracks, on hills and slopes, and in overgrazed pastures.

Food

This plant is usually avoided by cattle and many other animals that roam the southern Midwest area as it is very prickly and has limited nutritional value. The seeds are the most nutrional part of the plant. Quails and doves consume these seeds for its high oil content. Each flower produces an abundance of seeds making it a reliable food source.