Argemone munita
Chicalote
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Argemone munita (Chicalote) is a native California herb in the Papaveraceae family, recognized by key leaf texture and lobing differences.
Chicalote is a California native perennial herb found in northwestern California, central Sierra Nevada, southern Sierra Nevada, central and southwestern California, Great Basin, and desert regions at elevations of 70 to 3,000 meters in dry, open areas. Flowering in August, this plant produces white flowers with delicate, large petals 25 to 50 millimeters long. Growing 60 to 150 centimeters tall with upright stems, it develops a robust and branching structure. Its leaves are distinctively lobed, with lower leaves cut approximately halfway to the midrib, creating an intricate, textured appearance. The plant's striking white flowers and deeply divided leaves make it a notable species in its native habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key leaf texture and lobing differences
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, open areas
Elevation: 70-3000 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Kern, Mono, Ventura, Tuolumne, Orange, Inyo, Tulare, Imperial, Tehama, Alpine, Monterey, Colusa, Santa Barbara, Lassen, San Benito, Lake, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Stanislaus, Shasta, Sierra, Trinity, Glenn, Santa Cruz
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Argemone munita blooms Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Romneya: Argemone has sharp spines throughout; Romneya is completely unarmed and smooth.; vs Papaver: Argemone is covered in sharp spines; Papaver is unarmed with short hairs or none.; vs Rosa: Argemone spines cover leaves and stems; Rosa has thorns only on stems.; vs Cosmos: Argemone has spiny leaves and stems; Cosmos is completely unarmed.; vs Cistus: Argemone is spiny throughout; Cistus is unarmed and often sticky-hairy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Argemone munita native to California?
Yes. Argemone munita is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Argemone munita bloom?
Argemone munita blooms Aug.
Where in California does Argemone munita grow?
Argemone munita occurs in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Kern, Mono, Ventura, Tuolumne and other counties, at elevations of 70-3000 m.
What plant family does Argemone munita belong to?
Argemone munita is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Argemone.
What habitat does Argemone munita grow in?
Argemone munita grows in Dry, open areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.