Prickly poppy or Mexican poppy
Argemone ochroleuca
family
Papaveraceae
origin
Exotic
declaration
Council Pest Vegetation (BCC Natural Asset Local Law)
Council Pest Vegetation (BCC Natural Asset Local Law)
Common names
Mexican poppy, Devil's fig, Golden thistle of Peru, Biniguy thistle, White thistle, Yellow poppy, Mexican thistle, Mexican prickle poppy.
A glaucous (blue-green) erect single to several stemmed annual with yellow sap,with a central taproot. It grows from 60 to 120cm in height. It has leafy stems that grow up to 60cm, with prickly lobed leaves. The flowers are showy and have a dark red 3 to 6 lobed stigma (glandular region at the tip of the style)
Impact
Impact
This species is an agricultural weed. Harvesting crops in field infested with Argemone ochroleuca can be painful., It has been introduced into Australia, Africa, tropical Asia, New Zealand and a number of oceanic islands where it has become invasive. It is most common in disturbed areas such as roadsides, mining dumps, rabbit warrens, recently cultivated paddocks, degraded land and over-grazed pastures. This species produces a large number of seed which can be accidentally introduced into new areas as a seed contaminant. It is often a problem in agricultural land but also has the potential to outcompete native species and decrease biodiversity. A. ochroleuca is toxic to humans and livestock and has thorny spines which can cause injury.
Location
Location
Characteristics
Characteristics
Similar Species
Similar Species
This species is an agricultural weed. Harvesting crops in field infested with Argemone ochroleuca can be painful., It has been introduced into Australia, Africa, tropical Asia, New Zealand and a number of oceanic islands where it has become invasive. It is most common in disturbed areas such as roadsides, mining dumps, rabbit warrens, recently cultivated paddocks, degraded land and over-grazed pastures. This species produces a large number of seed which can be accidentally introduced into new areas as a seed contaminant. It is often a problem in agricultural land but also has the potential to outcompete native species and decrease biodiversity. A. ochroleuca is toxic to humans and livestock and has thorny spines which can cause injury.
