As the name implies, the Mexican Poppy (Argemone subfusiformis) – also known as Prickly Poppy – originates in Mexico. It is thought to have been introduced into South Africa at the turn of the 20th century and is a common pioneer species throughout the country. These plants grow on waste land, in disturbed sites, and can be particularly troublesome on cultivated land. It is not surprising then, that it has been declared an invader plant in South Africa: all parts of the plant are toxic.
The prickly stems and leaves are a bluish-green or greyish-green in colour and are hairless. As you can see from the photograph above, the whitish-coloured veins give the leaves a variegated appearance. They are deeply serrated and have several sharp spines along their margins. The spiny capsules are generally oval, oblong or egg-shaped.
When the spiny flower buds open they reveal rather attractive flowers with six pale yellow, lemon or cream-coloured petals.
The flowers have a number of stamens surrounding a purplish stigma.
Flowering occurs mostly during spring and summer.
More detailed information can be found at:
https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=3932
Something Over Tea 
pretty pictures of a pioneer pest plant!
▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪
▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫▪◾◼◾▪▫◽◻◽▫
LikeLike
Thank you, Graham.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This looks akin to cacti
LikeLike
The only similarity is in the spikes: these leaves are thin and not at all fleshy 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laat my weer baie aan ons kosmosse dink.
LikeLike
Ja, ek dink hierdie blomme – veral as daar baie wat in een plek is – lyk ‘n bietjie soos kosmosse 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
This looks rather like our Sea Poppy (Glaucium flavum) though I suspect it’s not closely related. Lovely photos, Anne!
LikeLike
They do look similar at a glance and their flowers are superficially the same. The leaves are very different: these ones have conspicuous veins and are very spiky 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
They look very daunting 🙂
LikeLike
One needs to wear gloves in order to pull them up 🙂
LikeLike
One I have never seen. Too bad it’s so invasive.
LikeLike
It is difficult (and painful) walking through a field of them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have got a lot here in the veld!
LikeLike
It was a post of yours that reminded me of photographs I had taken with the intention of blogging about them 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thats great!
LikeLike
Ohh we have these, too. My grandmother used to call it the Foreign Brinjal plant…why, I have no idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is strange for they have nothing to do with brinjals 🙂 I wonder if she made a connection with the spikes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s pretty, but not something I think I’d want in my yard!
LikeLike
Not at all – and nowhere near livestock either. They wouldn’t eat it by choice but the leaves break off easily and there is always the danger of them ingesting the seeds.
LikeLike
Invasive plants seem to be a worldwide problem. It would be good to think that plant importers are being more careful these days but I have my doubts.
LikeLike
I imagine these plants were not brought in deliberately but came in with something else that was imported from elsewhere. I cannot help wondering if they too (like cosmos, blackjacks and khakibos) might not have entered the country via the importation of fodder for horses during the Anglo-Boer War.
LikeLike
It is attractive but on all counts unwelcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very unwelcome, not only here but in Namibia and Botswana as well as in Australia.
LikeLike
This really is a filthy pest and virtually impossible to eradicate once it gets a foothold in an area.
LikeLike
You are right!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. I saw these plants a couple of years ago in a rather unkempt area near a reservoir in New South Wales, Australia. I was particularly taken with the colour of both leaves and flowers and did a pretty poor job of trying to recreate them in watercolour. Now I know their name.
LikeLike
I understand these plants are also regarded as a pest in Western Australia. They are very difficult to get rid of!
LikeLike
I googled them last night and yes they are considered a pest. As much as their colour is captivating I’d hate to have a backyard full of them. It’d do you in!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pretty, but odd-looking leaves. Hopefully no kids touch them or wildlife either – it would be painful like getting a thistle spine in your finger while trying to pull it out of the ground/earth.
LikeLike
The thistle spines can be very painful. From what I have read, most grazing animals give this plant a wide berth if they can.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t blame then – it’s be like being hit by a porcupine. My mom got a cactus spine embedded in her forearm while sh was watering them. She was short and it was a windowsill cactus garden. It was quite painful and she had to go on antibiotics as she had cellulitis in her legs and prone to flare-ups.
LikeLike