SPERMATOPHYTA— PAPAVERACEAE 483 



Papaver Rhoeas L. Corn Poppy 



An erect annual with hispid spreading hairs ; lower leaves petioled, the upper, 

 smaller, sessile, pinnatifid, lobes lanceolate, acute, and serrate; flowers scarlet 

 with darker center; filaments dilated; capsule smooth with 10 or more stig- 

 matic rays. 



Distribution. In waste places along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. It 

 is frequently cultivated. 



Poisonous properties. Poisonous like other species of this genus. 



Freidberger and Frohner give the symptoms of poisoning from this plant 

 as colic, constipation, tympanites in cattle, raging fit of fury in horses. 



In India this species is a troublesome weed but the seeds are collected 

 and a yellow acrid oil obtained therefrom which is used both in medicine and 

 as an illuminant.* 



2. Argemotve L. Prickly Poppy 



Herbs with yellow juice; spiny toothed leaves and stems; flowers large; 

 sepals 2-3; petals 4-6; stamens numerous; styles short; stigma 3-6-radiate; 

 capsule prickly, oblong, opening by 3-6 valves; seeds small, numerous. 



A small genus of about 8 species of the southern states, Mexico and West- 

 ern North America. 



Argemone mexicana L. Mexican or Prickly Poppy 



A glaucus annual from 1-3 feet high, with spines or without; leaves sessile, 

 clasping by narrow base, glaucus, runcinate-pinnatifid, spiny-toothed; flowers 

 large, whitish or generally yellowish; calyx with 2 sepals, bristly pointed; 

 stamens numerous; stigma sessile, seeds numerous, reticulated. 



Distribution. Introduced along the Atlantic coast as far north as the mid- 

 dle states. Native from Florida to Texas. A most common and troublesome 

 weed in Texas. It yields however a valuable painter's oil. 



Argemone intermedia Sweet. Prickly Poppy 



A spiny, leafy, plant from 2-2j/^ feet high; setose, hispid; flowers large 

 white, sepals green, hispid; petals obovate; capsule armed with stout spines; 

 horns with a terminal spine; seeds numerous, black sunken meshes. 



Distribution. From Central Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, to the Rocky 

 Mountains and Texas. Common in dry soil. 



Poisonous properties. The small prickles cause somewhat painful injuries 

 when they penetrate the skin. According to Schlotterbeck the A. Mexicana 

 contains fumarin C H NO, and berberin. In Mexico used in the same way 

 as the poppy. 



Sanguinaria L. Bloodroot 



Perennial with a horizontal, thick rootstock; juice red; leaves basal, pal- 

 mately veined and lobed, heart-shaped or reniform; flowers white; sepals 2, 

 soon falling ; petals 8-12, arranged in several rows ; stamens numerous ; 

 placentae 2; capsule oblong, dehiscent to the base; seeds smooth, crested. 

 A single species. 



*D. Hooper. Agrl. Ledger 1907:35. 



