Argemone mexicana
| Argemone mexicana | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Argemone mexicana (common name: prickly poppy)
Propagation: Seed - sow April in situ[1]. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 15°c[2].
Cultivation: Easily grown in a light soil in a sunny position[3][2][4]. Does best in a poor well-drained soil[2].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[1].
Usually grown as a hardy annual in Britain[3]. It resents being transplanted and should be sown in situ[2].
Range: South-western N. America. Naturalized in C. and S. Europe[5].
Habitat: Dry soils along roadsides and in waste places and fields[6][7].
Edibility: Leaves[8] No further details are given but caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity at the top of the page.
Medicinal: The whole plant is analgesic, antispasmodic, possibly hallucinogenic and sedative[9][10][11][12][7][13]. It contains alkaloids similar to those in the opium poppy (P. somniferum) and so can be used as a mild pain-killer[13].
The fresh yellow, milky, acrid sap contains protein-dissolving substances and has been used in the treatment of warts, cold sores, cutaneous affections, skin diseases, itches etc[14][15][13]. It has also been used to treat cataracts[13] and has been taken internally in the treatment of dropsy and jaundice[16][15].
The root is alterative and has been used in the treatment of chronic skin diseases[16][15].
The flowers are expectorant and have been used in the treatment of coughs and other chest complaints[13].
The seed is demulcent, emetic, expectorant and laxative[16][15]. An infusion, in small quantities, is used as a sedative for children, but caution is advised since the oil in the seed is strongly purgative[13]. The seed has also been used as an antidote to snake poisoning[16][15]. The pounded seeds, mixed with mustard oil, are applied externally to treat itchy skin[17].
The oil from the seed is demulcent and purgative[13][17]. It has been used externally in the treatment of skin problems[16][15][17]. Caution is advised in the use of this oil, prolonged ingestion produces toxic effects resembling those occurring in epidemic dropsy[16].
Usage: A semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed, used for lighting, soap etc[9][10][18][19][17].
A medicinal fixed oil (essential oil?) is obtained from the seed[11].
Soil: Can grow in light soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant, including the seed, contain toxic alkaloids[20].
Also Known As: A. ochroleuca.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ Small, John. Manual of the Southeastern Flora. Blackburn Press, 2004.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Emboden, William. Narcotic Plants. Studio Vista, 1979.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.
- ↑ Pesman, M. Meet Flora Mexicana. Dale S King, 1962.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 Manandhar, N. Medicinal Plants of Nepal Himalaya. Department of Medicinal Plants, 1993.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ Heywood, Vernon. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
- ↑ Bird, Alfred. Focus on Plants Volume 5. Thompson and Morgan, 1991.