Meconopsis betonicifolia

Meconopsis betonicifolia (syn. Meconopsis baileyi), the Himalayan blue poppy,^[1] 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.^[2]

Meconopsis betonicifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Ranunculales
Family:	Papaveraceae
Genus:	Meconopsis
Species:	M. betonicifolia
Binomial name
Meconopsis betonicifolia Franch.
Synonyms
Meconopsis baileyi

Meconopsis betonicifolia is hardy in most of the United Kingdom^[3] and it has striking large blue flowers. This herbaceous perennial is often short-lived.^[3]

Description

Meconopsis betonicifolia

Meconopsis betonicifolia is a rare flower found in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, Tibet, and Myanmar at elevations of 2000 to 5000 meters.^[4] 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.^[5] Blue poppies have been introduced to gardens for their beauty; however, due to overexploitation, they are becoming scarce in the wild.^[6] 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.