Argemone mexicana aka Mexican Poppy

Argemone mexicana, also known as Mexican poppy, Mexican prickly poppy, flowering thistle, cardo or cardosanto, is a species of poppy native to Mexico but now widely naturalized in various parts of the world. This hardy pioneer plant thrives in drought conditions and poor soil, often becoming the sole cover on newly cut road edges or embankments. It features vibrant yellow latex and ornamental prickly seed heads. While it is poisonous to grazing animals and rarely consumed, it has been utilized medicinally by several cultures, including indigenous populations in Mexico, the western United States, and many parts of India. In India, it coincides with the Holi festival, where it is worshiped and referred to as "kateli ka phool" due to its maximum flowering phase in March. This erect spiny annual or biennial herb can reach heights of up to 1 meter, with a branched taproot. Its stem is prickly and exudes a yellow juice when cut. The thistle-like leaves are alternate, toothed, and have spiny margins, with grey-white veins contrasting against the bluish-green upper surface. The showy solitary flowers, measuring 2.5-5 cm in diameter, appear at the branch tips and boast six rounded, bright yellow petals. The fruit is an oblong or egg-shaped capsule with prickles, containing numerous small black seeds. Throughout the summer, this plant showcases vivid yellow flowers and attractive blue-green foliage.