Mexican Prickly Poppy is a spiny-leaved annual or biennial with large, showy white or yellow flowers native to dry disturbed habitats throughout the Southwest and Mexico. It colonizes roadsides, overgrazed areas, and desert washes. Large carpenter bees and solitary bees collect pollen from the numerous stamens. The plant is avoided by livestock due to its toxicity.
Best time to see a Mexican Prickly Poppy
The best time to see a Mexican Prickly Poppy is February–April, when about 70% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,973 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Mexican Prickly Poppy? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Mexican Prickly Poppy sightings near you
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