Papaver argemone
Long pricklyhead poppy
(c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Papaver argemone (Long pricklyhead poppy) is a non-native California herb in the Papaveraceae family, recognized by narrowly obovate, sparsely hairy fruit.
Long pricklyhead poppy is a naturalized perennial found in central western California in disturbed areas at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces dark red flowers with approximately 2 centimeters wide petals featuring a dark-spotted base, accompanied by purple filaments and blue anthers. Growing with stiff-hairy stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall, the plant has an upright and rigid structure. Its leaves extend 3 to 12 centimeters long, with peduncles covered in appressed stiff hairs. The fruit is narrowly obovate, 1.5 to 2 centimeters in length and sparsely covered with soft hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key feature is narrowly obovate, sparsely hairy fruit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 500 m
Outside California: native to Eurasia
Bloom period
Papaver argemone blooms Apr-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Eschscholzia: Papaver capsule opens by top pores; Eschscholzia splits lengthwise and sits in cup-shaped base.; vs Oreomecon: Papaver fruit is broader than long; Oreomecon fruit is longer than broad.; vs Rosa: Papaver has 4-6 separate petals; Rosa has 5 petals and thorny stems.; vs Ranunculus: Papaver has 2 sepals that drop early; Ranunculus has 5 persistent sepals.; vs Tropaeolum: Papaver has capsule fruit; Tropaeolum has wrinkled nutlet fruits in threes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Papaver argemone native to California?
No. Papaver argemone is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Papaver argemone bloom?
Papaver argemone blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Papaver argemone belong to?
Papaver argemone is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Papaver.
What habitat does Papaver argemone grow in?
Papaver argemone grows in Uncommon. Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.