''Meconopsis napaulensis'', the Nepal poppy or satin poppy, is a plant of the family
Papaveraceae
The Papaveraceae are an economically important family of about 42 genera and approximately 775 known species of flowering plants in the order Ranunculales, informally known as the poppy family. The family is cosmopolitan, occurring in tempera ...
. The plant contains
beta-carbolines, which (in doses high enough) act as a
psychedelic drug
Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary states of consciousness (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips").Pollan, Michael (2018). ''How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science ...
. However, its
phytochemistry
Phytochemistry is the study of phytochemicals, which are chemicals derived from plants. Phytochemists strive to describe the structures of the large number of secondary metabolites found in plants, the functions of these compounds in human and ...
remains predominantly unstudied.
Recent taxonomical reclassification by Grey-Wilson (2006) has separated 4 new species from ''M. napaulensis'': ''
M. chankheliensis'', ''
M. ganeshensis'', ''
M. staintonii'' and ''
M. wilsonii'', while ''
M. wallichii'' has been reinstated. ''M. wallichii'' had been previously described in 1852 by Hooker, but was later placed under the species ''M. napaulensis'' by Taylor in 1934.
In light of the current reclassification by Grey-Wilson, the description of the species ''M. napaulensis'' is subsequently much more refined. Based on the type specimen, it is only yellow in flower, with a small geographical range in central
Nepal
Nepal (; ne, नेपाल ), formerly the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne,
सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is ma ...
.
Prior to the recent reclassification of ''Meconopsis napaulensis'', flower colours of the species ranged between red, purple and white, and much of what is grown in gardens under the name ''M. napaulensis'' are of this colour. However, the name is now technically misapplied, a point which is bound to frustrate many gardeners.
References
Grey-Wilson, 2006. The True Identity of Meconopsis Napaulensis DC. Curtis's Botanical Magazine, Volume 23, Number 2, May 2006, pp. 176–209(34)
External links
Plants For A FutureThe Meconopsis Group
napaulensis
Flora of Nepal
{{Ranunculales-stub