Meconopsis aculeata -

Family:	Papaveraceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.6
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - W. Himalayas from Pakistan to Uttar Pradesh.

Meconopsis aculeata () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 7.
Meconopsis aculeata will flower in January to February. the seeds ripen from March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Meconopsis aculeata will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
Meconopsis aculeata prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Rocky slopes and damp rocks, 3000 - 4000m[51]

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a woodland soil in partial shade[1, 200]. The soil should be lime-free, moist, well-drained and moderately rich[200]. Dislikes full sun and windy positions[200]. Monocarpic, the plants living for a number of years before flowering but then dying once they flower[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
The plant is said to be edible[145] but no further details are known, not even which part of the plant can be eaten.

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The root contains narcotic principles[211, 240]. The entire plant is used in Tibetan medicine, where it is considered to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency[241]. Analgesic and febrifuge, it is used to help heal broken bones, to treat inflammation from fractures and pain in the upper bodily region, especially around the ribs[241].

• Analgesic - Relieves pain.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Narcotic - Relieves pain, induces drowsiness and gives a sense of well-being.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in late summer. Spring sown seed is slower to germinate[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Known Hazards

The whole plant, but especially the root, is considered to be poisonous, it contains narcotic principles[211, 240].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flowers of the Himalayas.
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Author: Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Rating:
Publisher : A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.
Date of Publication : 1984

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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