Blue poppy
Meconopsis aculeata
Family: Papaveraceae
What it is like
A prickly herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 30-75 cm tall. It has a long tapering rootstock. The leaves near the base are 10-20 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. They are deeply divided. The higher leaves have segments that vary in shape and 1-3 cm long by 3-10 mm wide. The flowers are 5-7 cm wide. The flowers are blue.
There are 48 Meconopsis species. Sometimes these are included in the Papaver genus.
Where it is found
It grows between 2440-4270 m altitude in the Himalayas. It grows amongst rocks and near streams.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Gudi, Gul-i-nilum, Kanda, Kandeli, Kunda