We've been collecting desert plant books, and this is a beauty from 1954.
A local belief that hairs of the plant are irritating to the eyes has given the name “Sore-eye Poppies,” an appellation carried out in the Mexican name Mal-de-ojos. In Lower California, Mallows are called Plantas Muy Malas, meaning very bad plants. In contrast, the Pima Indian name is translate to mean “ a cure for sore eyes.”
This reminds me of the video by the Kids in the Hall that I've pasted in below. Is it "do" or "don't" put apricot mallow in your eye?
