13 June 2020

Pale Mexican Prickly Poppy – Raydah Escarpment

Whilst birding the bottom of the Raydah Escarpment I came across some Pale Mexican Prickly Poppy Argemone ochroleuca growing by the side of the wadi bottom. This location is near Abha in the Asir mountains of southwest Saudi Arabia. The Pale  Mexican Prickly Poppy is a species of poppy originally from Mexico but now widely naturalized around the world including Saudi Arabia. It is an extremely hardy pioneer plant that is tolerant of drought. They grow up to one metre tall and have sticky yellow sap.
Mexican Poppy

Mexican Poppy

Mexican Poppy