2. Argemone mexicana L. (devil’s fig, Mexican prickly poppy)

Pl. 475 h–j; Map 2172

Stems 25–80 cm long, sparsely prickly or occasionally unarmed. Leaf blades 4–25 cm long, the surfaces glabrous or sparsely prickly along the main veins, glaucous, the upper surface with pale mottling along the main veins. Flowers usually closely subtended by the bracts. Buds 10–15 mm long, broadly ellipsoid to nearly globose, the horns 5–10 mm long, unarmed below the tip or sparsely prickly. Petals 15–35 mm long, yellow or rarely pale yellow to cream-colored. Stamens 20–50. Fruits 25–45 mm long, oblong in outline to oblong-ellipsoid or ellipsoid, the surface unarmed or sparsely to moderately prickly. 2n=28. May–August.

Introduced, uncommon and sporadic, mostly in the southern half of the state (native of the southeastern U.S., Mexico, Central America, Caribbean Islands; introduced north to Nebraska and Massachusetts). Railroads and open, disturbed areas.