Argemone mexicana

Argemone mexicana, also known by the common names Mexican poppy, Mexican prickly poppy, flowering thistle, cardo, and cardosanto, is a species of poppy found in Mexico and now widely naturalized in many parts of the world. An extremely hardy pioneer plant, it is tolerant of drought and poor soil, often being the only cover on new road cuttings or verges. It has bright yellow latex. It is poisonous to grazing animals, and it is rarely eaten, but it has been used medicinally by many peoples, including those in its native area, as well as the indigenous peoples of the western United States, parts of Mexico, and many parts of India. In India, during the colorful festival Holika Dahan, adults and children worship by offering flowers, and this species is in its maximum flowering phase during March when the Holi festival is celebrated. It is also referred to as "Kanteli Ka Phul" and "Satyanashi" in India.

Description

A spreading clump forming annual herb. It grows up to 1 m high and spreads to 30-40 cm across. The leaves do not have leaf stalks. The leaves have a green and white pattern. The leaves have deep irregular teeth along the edge. The flower has a very short stalk. It is at the end of the plant. It is yellow and has 6 petals. The fruit is a capsule and is prickly. This contains round, pitted, brown seeds which are sticky.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Oil Edible Uses: Oil Leaves No further details are given but caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity at the top of the page.

Traditional Uses

CAUTION: The seeds are poisonous. Their oil is not edible. The plant contains some alkaloids and can have high levels of nitrate. The seeds are ground and used in preparation of vegetables. The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The stem is eaten as a vegetable.

Medicinal Uses

Alterative Analgesic Antispasmodic Antitussive Demulcent Emetic Expectorant Hallucinogenic Purgative Sedative Skin Warts The whole plant is analgesic, antispasmodic, possibly hallucinogenic and sedative. It contains alkaloids similar to those in the opium poppy (P. somniferum) and so can be used as a mild pain-killer. 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. It has also been used to treat cataracts and has been taken internally in the treatment of dropsy and jaundice. The root is alterative and has been used in the treatment of chronic skin diseases. The flowers are expectorant and have been used in the treatment of coughs and other chest complaints. The seed is demulcent, emetic, expectorant and laxative. 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. The seed has also been used as an antidote to snake poisoning. The pounded seeds, mixed with mustard oil, are applied externally to treat itchy skin. The oil from the seed is demulcent and purgative. It has been used externally in the treatment of skin problems. Caution is advised in the use of this oil, prolonged ingestion produces toxic effects resembling those occurring in epidemic dropsy.

Known Hazards

The seeds resemble the seeds of Brassica nigra (mustard). As a result, mustard can be adulterated by argemone seeds, rendering it poisonous. Several significant instances of katkar poisoning have been reported in India, Fiji, South Africa and other countries. The last major outbreak in India occurred in 1998. 1% adulteration of mustard oil by argemone oil has been shown to cause clinical disease. In India, Argemone oil is mixed with sunflower oil and sesame oil to increase the quantity, but this adulteration causes health disorders and renowned brands display "no argemone oil" to qualify purity. Katkar oil poisoning causes epidemic dropsy, with symptoms including extreme swelling, particularly of the legs. All parts of plants are poisonous. Ingestion of them can cause perianal itching, pneumonia myocarditis and congestive cardiac failure, ascites, sarcoid-like skin changes, alopecia, hepatomegaly

Distribution

A tropical to warm temperate plant. In Nepal it grows to about 1400 m altitude. It grows in semi arid regions. It can grow in areas with moderate moisture or which are seasonally dry. It can grow on poor, well-drained soils. It needs full sun. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 8-12. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Balkans, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Central America, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, Germany, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Martinique, Mediterranean, Mexico*, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Slovenia, Socotra, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, St Helena, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tasmania, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Easily grown in a light soil in a sunny position. Does best in a poor well-drained soil. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. Usually grown as a hardy annual in Britain. It resents being transplanted and should be sown in situ.

Propagation

Seed - sow April in situ. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 15°c.

Other Uses

Essential Oil A semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed, used for lighting, soap etc. A medicinal fixed oil (essential oil?) is obtained from the seed. Biodiesel production may be possible from the seed oil using crystalline manganese carbonate. Special Uses Scented Plants

Production

Plants fruit throughout most of the year.

Other Information

It is sold in local markets. It is cultivated.

Notes

There are 32 Argemone species. The one in Tasmania may be Argemone ochroleuca.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Betakoa, Bharband, Bilayat, Bramhadandi, Bucoli, Chicalote, Dandaro, Datturi, Devil’s Fig, Fantsimboay, Golden Thistle of Peru, Kande, Kanta kusuma, Kardai, Kudiyoetti, Mehiški bodeči mak, Mlumajalaga, Ponnummattam, Prickly poppy, Pua kala, Seyal kanta, Shialkata, Sialkata, Siyalkanta, Tambala, Thorn Poppy, Tilinha-felendje, Udisamari

References (48)

• Addis, G., Asfaw, Z & Woldu, Z., 2013, Ethnobotany of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Plants of Konso Ethnic Community, South Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 11:121-141
• Al-Sodany, Y. M., et al, 2013, Medicinal Plants in Saudi Arabia: I. Sarrwat Mountains at Taif, KSA. Academic Journal of Plant Sciences 6 (4): 134-145
• Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 51
• Ara, R. I. T., 2015, Leafy Vegetables in Bangladesh. Photon eBooks. p 84
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 99

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