Not restricted to a desert habitat, this spiny-leafed perennial is
widespread on dry soils from Nebraska to Wyoming and from Texas to
southern California and Mexico. Abundant throughout the summer, the
flowers may be found, in warm climates, during every month of the year.
Copious spines and the acrid yellow sap make the plants distasteful to
cattle, so a heavy growth of pricklepoppy may be an indicator of an
overgrazed range. Also called “thistlepoppy,” a single plant may be
graced by a dozen or more fragile flowers, each ready to be replaced by
one or more prickly buds. The seeds are said to contain a powerful
narcotic.
_Argemone platyceras_ Poppy Family
[Illustration: PRICKLEPOPPY]