Wildflower of the valley
Blue Poppy, Often called as Queen of Himalayan Flowers.
Meconopsis aculeata
- How easy to find
- Rare — you will see it only in some places
- Flower size
- Medium
- Family
- Papaveraceae (Poppy family)
- Local name
- नीला पोस्ता
- Height
- medium
- Altitude
- 3600–4800 m
- Flower colour
- blue
- Flowering
- June to September.
- Status
- Endangered
About Blue Poppy, Often called as Queen of Himalayan Flowers.
Blue Poppy is also called as Queen of Himalayan Flowers. Blue poppy is found in abundance near Hemkund Sahib from mid July to August end. You can spot it in the Valley of Flowers also but it is mainly found at Hemkund Sahib only. Genus of Blue Poppy is MECONOPSIS Vig. World 40 species; India 20 species. The term is derived from Greek word Mecon meaning Poppy. Blue Poppy is also called MECONOPSIS ACULEATA, Aculeata means bearing a pickle, referring a prickly nature of the plant. Whole plant contains narcotic constituents; roots are considered to be poisonous. Its status is Endangered.
Where to find it
- In the middle of the valley
- In the deeper parts of the valley
- Around Hemkund Sahib
Habitat
Rock Crevices, Hill Slopes.
Uses & folklore
It contains Narcotic Constituents; roots are poisonous.
What the name means
Meconopsis is Greek: mekon (poppy) + opsis (resembling); aculeata means "prickly", after the bristles that cover the plant.
