Foothills. Roadsides, disturbed areas. Summer.
Highway 550 north of Durango, July 23, 2005.

This is an Eastern Plains species introduced to the Western Slope probably through highway construction.  It is still uncommon on the Western Slope.  Flowers are large, brilliant white, delicate, and flutter in a slight breeze.  Prickles adorn stem leaf and seed pods.

"Argemone" is a herb referred to by the Greeks thousands of years ago and "polyanthemos" means "many flowers".  Linnaeus named this genus in 1753.

Foothills. Roadsides, disturbed areas. Summer.
Highway 550 north of Durango, July 23, 2005.

Foothills. Roadsides, disturbed areas. Summer.
Highway 550 north of Durango, July 23, 2005.