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

This is a Plains species introduced to the West Slope of the Rockies, probably through highway construction.  It has been found over the past years in all the counties of the Four Corners area, but it is rare or not found in any other nearby counties.

Flowers are large, brilliant white, delicate, flutter in a slight breeze, and form quite a contrast to the rest of the plant which is adorned with menacing prickles on 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.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Argemone polyanthemos