''Meconopsis betonicifolia'' ( syn. ''Meconopsis baileyi''), the Himalayan blue poppy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae. It was first formally named for western science in 1912 by the British officer Lt. Col.

Frederick Marshman Bailey Frederick Marshman Bailey (3 February 1882 – 17 April 1967) was a British Political officer (British Empire), political officer and one of the last protagonists of ''The Great Game.'' His expeditions in Tibet and Assam Himalaya gave him many ...

. ''Meconopsis betonicifolia'' is hardy in most of the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

and it has striking large blue flowers. This

herbaceous Herbaceous plants are vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground. This broad category of plants includes many perennials, and nearly all annuals and biennials. Definitions of "herb" and "herbaceous" The fourth edition of ...

perennial In horticulture, the term perennial ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the year") is used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. It has thus been defined as a plant that lives more than 2 years. The term is also ...

is often short-lived.

Description

''Meconopsis betonicifolia'' is a rare flower found in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, Tibet, and Myanmar at elevations of 2000 to 5000 meters. It thrives in slightly alkaline to acidic soils in cool, moist environments. The flower's distinctive blue color results from various pigments influenced by the soil's pH and UV light exposure. Blue poppies have been introduced to gardens for their beauty; however, due to overexploitation, they are becoming scarce in the wild. The hermaphroditic flowers bloom from late spring to early summer, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which are crucial for cross-pollination and genetic diversity. The plant's life cycle spans two to three years, with flowering occurring in the second or third year after seed germination. Followed by wind-dispersal, the seeds can remain viable for several years.

References

External links

* betonicifolia Flora of China Flora of Arunachal Pradesh {{Papaveraceae-stub