Argemone pleiacantha Greene
The most common and widespread of the prickly poppies. Able to flower in a surprising degree of heat and drought. Argemone also isn't eaten by cattle, so can be an indicator of over-grazing.
Flowers in the flats east of the Chiricahua Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona, 4 Sep 2004.
Leaves in the flats east of the Chiricahua Mountains, 4 Sep 2004.
Closer view of a flower in the flats east of the Chiricahua Mountains, 4 Sep 2004.
A fruit in the flats east of the Chiricahua Mountains, 4 Sep 2004.
Buds near the junction of Loco Mountain Road and NM Hwy 59, 16 Aug 2009.
Immature fruit near the junction of Loco Mt. Road and NM Hwy 59, 16 Aug 2009.