Argemone glauca var. decipiens

Description:

Pua kala, Pkalakala, or Hawaiian prickly poppyPapaveraceae (Poppy family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (found in dry to subalpine areas on the leeward side of the saddle region between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, Hawaii Island at 2000 to over 6200 feet.)Locally common to uncommonPhoto: North Kona, Hawaii IslandHawaiian NamePua kala literally means "thorny flower." This is also the name given to a native lobelia (Cyanea solenocalyx) with prickly leaves, found in gulches of Molokai.The name Pkalakala is also used for Polyscias racemosa [syn. Munroidendron racemosum].Even with its toxic background, the early Hawaiians used the bright yellow sap (latex) and seeds medicinally for toothache pain, neuralgia (nerve pain), and ulcers. The sap only was used for warts.EtymologyThe genus name Argemone is derived from the Greek argema, cataract, in refernce to the use of the sap of type of poppy reputed to cure cataracts.The specific epithet glauca is from the Greek, glaukos, for blue-green or blue-gray referring to the color of this poppy's leaves.The subspecific name decipiens is from the Latin deceptum, deceptive or misleading.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Argemone_glauca