Species library · Plants & herbs

Mexican Prickly Poppy: poisonous

Argemone ochroleuca

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Mexican Prickly Poppy is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from January to December in the northern hemisphere. Found in Disturbed ground, Grassland.

☠ Poisonous
Mexican Prickly Poppy (Argemone ochroleuca)

Photo: Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata · CC BY-SA 4.0

When Mexican Prickly Poppy appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Mexican Prickly Poppy is usually found in Disturbed ground, Grassland.

Look up Mexican Prickly Poppy in the app

In the Forage app, Mexican Prickly Poppy has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Mexican Prickly Poppy: common questions

Is Mexican Prickly Poppy poisonous?

Yes. Mexican Prickly Poppy is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Mexican Prickly Poppy appear?

Mexican Prickly Poppy usually appears from January to December in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Mexican Prickly Poppy grow?

Mexican Prickly Poppy is usually found in Disturbed ground, Grassland.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits