Mexican prickly poppy

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mexican prickly-poppy
• thorn poppy
• yellow prickly-poppy
• Thistle
• Yellow Thistle
• Bermuda thistle
• Mexican thistle
• Mexican-poppy
• prickly-poppy
• yellow-flower Mexican-poppy
• Bathurst Bur-weed
• Mexican prickly poppy
• Prickly Poppy
• Scotch Thistle
• Yellow Mexican Poppy
• Yellow Poppy
• Yellow-Flowered Mexican
• Yellow-flowered Mexican Poppy

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Papaver mexicanum
• Echtrus mexicanus
• Argemone mexicana f. leiocarpa
• Echtrus trivialis
• Argemone alba var. leiocarpa
• Argemone mexicana var. anacanthoidea
• Argemone sexvalvis
• Argemone spinosa
• Argemone spinosa
• Argemone mexicana subvar. inermis
• Argemone mexicana var. lutea
• Argemone mexicana var. parviflora
• Argemone mucronata
• Argemone leiocarpa
• Argemone leiocarpa var. mexicanoides
• Argemone leiocarpa var. ochroleucoides
• Argemone versicolor

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ranunculales, it is classified under the family Papaveraceae. Finally, its specific biological identification is placed within the genus Argemone.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the world. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing within the borders of Great Britain. Its presence extends into Middle Europe, where it inhabits both Germany and the areas of Czechia-Slovakia. Moving toward the Mediterranean region, the species is also documented throughout Southwestern Europe, specifically in France. Finally, its range reaches into Northern Africa, with notable populations located in Egypt.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Argemone mexicana is characterized by a broad adaptability to varying altitudes, thriving across an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 2210 m AMSL. While specific primary habitat classifications can vary due to its opportunistic nature, it typically colonizes disturbed areas and open environments. A key ecological feature of this species is its deployment of biological defense mechanisms, as it possesses active defense traits to deter herbivory.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

2210 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

(?)

Genetics

The genetics of Argemonne mexicana are characterized by a specific chromosomal constitution that serves as a fundamental taxonomic marker for the species. The genome is defined by a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 28, a stable configuration that underpins its reproductive biology and evolutionary lineage within the Papaveraceae family. This chromosomal count plays a critical role in determining the plant's genetic inheritance patterns and its ability to maintain phenotypic stability across various environmental conditions. The structural organization of these 28 chromosomes facilitates the complex expression of secondary metabolites, which are genetically regulated, and dictates the patterns of meiosis and chromosomal segregation during its life cycle.

Chromosome number :

28

Life history

The life history of Argemone mexicana is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it maintains its life cycle by producing a large volume of seeds that remain dormant in the soil, allowing the species to survive unfavorable environmental conditions and re-emerge when conditions become optimal. This strategy enables the plant to rapidly colonize disturbed habitats and open spaces, relying on its ephemeral growth pattern to ensure reproductive success before the onset of seasonal changes.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Argemone mexicana is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial, independent plant does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, growing instead as a self-supporting species rather than a liana or vine. In terms of its physical stature, the plant exhibits a variable height, with a minimum height of 0.2 m, a maximum height of 1 m, and a mean plant height of approximately 0.625 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.625 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Argemone mexicana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. Morphologically, the plant features narrow-elliptic leaf forms that facilitate efficient gas exchange and light interception. Regarding its nutrient acquisition, it does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than through symbiotic associations with diazotrophic bacteria.

Leaf form :

narrow-elliptic

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Argemone mexicana is characterized by a versatile flowering cycle that can occur throughout the entire year, beginning as early as January and extending through December. The plant produces orange-colored flowers that typically range in length from 2 cm to 3 cm. These flowers rely on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects such as bees to facilitate fertilization; notably, self-fertilization is present within the species. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a capsule-type fruit. These capsules vary in size, with a mean length of 3.75 cm (reaching up to 5 cm) and a mean width of 2.25 cm (ranging from 1.2 cm to 3 cm). The fruit is dehiscence-type, meaning it opens at maturity to release its seeds. The seeds themselves are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.002042143 g, though they can range from a minimum of 0.00154 g to a maximum of 0.00368 g. Once released, the seeds utilize an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on the wind to spread throughout the environment.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

orange

Flower length max:

3 cm

Flower length min:

2 cm

Flowering time :

Jan

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit length max:

5 cm

Fruit length mean:

3.75 cm

Fruit length min:

2.5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

3 cm

Fruit width mean:

2.25 cm

Fruit width min:

1.2 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00368 g

Seed mass mean:

0.002042143 g

Seed mass min:

0.00154 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Argemone mexicana has 5 reported plant parts identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed, stem, flower, fruit.

Leaf

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
3. The Korean journal of parasitology
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Seed

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Journal of tropical pediatrics

Stem

1. The Korean journal of parasitology
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flower

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Fruit

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Argemone mexicana has 61 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include berberine, protopine, SANGUINARINE, chelerythrine, Argemonine.

berberine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Beilstein journal of organic chemistry
4. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry
5. Scientific reports

protopine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Heliyon
3. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry
4. Planta medica

SANGUINARINE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry
3. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)

chelerythrine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Beilstein journal of organic chemistry
3. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Argemonine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Coptisine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry

Jatrorrhizine

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. The Korean journal of parasitology

codeine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Heliyon

ATROPINE

1. Frontiers in oncology

Allocryptopine

1. Planta medica

Activities

Argemone mexicana has 235 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antimalarial, Analgesic.

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
3. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry
5. Frontiers in oncology

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
3. Iranian journal of parasitology
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry
3. Environmental science and pollution research international

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry
3. Infection and drug resistance

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Anticholinesterase

1. Dr. Duke
2. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Beilstein journal of organic chemistry

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Iranian journal of parasitology

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

(+)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Argemone mexicana has 18 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Porphyromonas gingivalis, wounds, Alzheimer's disease, Antioxidant activity, Plasmodium falciparum.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations