Meconopsis

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Meconopsis
Blue Poppy Meconopsis sp Pair 1000px.jpg
Blue poppy (Meconopsis sp.)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Papaveraceae
Subfamily: Papaveroideae
Tribe: Papavereae
Genus: Meconopsis
Vig. [1]
Type species
Meconopsis regia
G.Taylor ( typ. cons. ) [1]
Species

See text.

Meconopsis is a genus of flowering plants in the poppy family Papaveraceae. It was created by French botanist Viguier in 1814 for the species known by the common name Welsh poppy, which Carl Linnaeus had described as Papaver cambricum . [2] The genus name means "poppy-like" (from Greek mekon poppy, opsis alike). Himalayan species discovered later were also placed in Meconopsis. In the 21st century, it was discovered that the Himalayan species were less closely related to the Welsh poppy, which has been restored to Papaver . All species now placed in Meconopsis are native to the Himalayas and surrounding regions. They have attractive, usually blue flowers.

Contents

The taxonomy of Meconopsis remains unsettled. Although many sources recognize the genus, others sink it into Papaver. There is also uncertainty over the number of species, as many readily hybridise with each other producing viable seed. It is likely that some individually named species are in fact a single species but with an under-appreciated morphological diversity.

A large proportion of species are monocarpic and as such are notoriously difficult to maintain in cultivation.

Meconopsis species do not produce opium.[ citation needed ]

Taxonomy

The genus Meconopsis and its species have a complex taxonomic history. A European species was first described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus as Papaver cambricum , [3] commonly known as the Welsh poppy. [4] It has a style, while all other then described Papaver species lacked one, having only a "stigmatic disc" (i.e. a disc-shaped region on the top of the ovary receptive to pollen). On the basis of this difference, in 1814, Louis Viguier transferred P. cambricum to his new genus Meconopsis as Meconopsis cambrica, then the only species. Later, when mainly blue-flowered poppy-like species with styles like the Welsh poppy were discovered in the Himalayas and neighbouring regions, they were also placed in the genus Meconopsis. However, molecular phylogenetic studies from 1995 onwards showed that the Welsh poppy was not closely related to the Himalayan species, but rather to Papaver species. [5] In 2011, Kadereit et al. proposed that Linnaeus's original name should be restored. [4] However, as Meconopsis cambrica was the type species of the genus Meconopsis, if the Welsh poppy was moved back to Papaver, all the Himalayan species would have to be placed in this genus as well. In 2012, it was proposed that Meconopsis should become a conserved name, with the new type Meconopsis regia. [6] This proposal has been accepted. [1]

Phylogeny

Molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that the Old World members of the subfamily Papaveroideae form a monophyletic clade. However, they have sometimes left relationships within this clade unresolved. A 2014 study found that neither Meconopsis nor Papaver were monophyletic. Meconopsis was split into two clades, a large one which the authors called section Eumeconopsis, and a smaller one, Meconopsis sect. Eucathcartia, containing four of the species included in the study. [5]

Clade I – Meconopsis section Eumeconopsis – most Meconopsis species

Clade II – Papaver section Meconella

Clade III – Papaver section Argemonidium plus Roemeria

Clade IV – remaining Papaver species, including P. cambricum, plus Stylomecon

Clade V – Meconopsis sect. Eucathcartia – four species in the study

An alternative cladogram resolves Clade III as the sister of Clades I and II. It was suggested that the generic name Meconopsis should be retained for Clade I, and Clade V should be treated as the genus Cathcartia. [5] This would still leave Papaver non-monophyletic. An alternative approach, adopted by Plants of the World Online and since largely reversed, was to sink Meconopsis, Roemeria , Stylomecon and Cathcartia into Papaver. [7]

Sections

In 2017, Xiao and Simpson raised Meconopsis sect. Eucathcartia (Clade V) to the genus Cathcartia. On the basis of a further molecular phylogenetic study they divided Meconopsis into four sections. [8]

A further species was described after Xiao and Simpson's classification: [9]

Xiao and Simpson placed four former Meconopsis species in the genus Cathcartia: [8]

Cultivation

Himalayan varieties have the reputation for being difficult to grow from seed, but when germinating new plants, using fresh seeds will help[ citation needed ]. These plants [ clarification needed ] are available in a variety of strong colours, including blue, red, orange, purple, white and yellow depending on species and cultivar.

All meconopsis require an acid or neutral soil pH, in a partially shaded sheltered position.

Cultivars

The following cultivars, of mixed or uncertain heritage, have won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-

  • 'Bobby Masterton' (Infertile Blue Group) [10]
  • 'Dalemain' (George Sherriff Group) [11]
  • 'Keillour' [12]
  • 'Marit' [13]
  • 'Mop-Head' (Fertile Blue Group) [14]
  • 'Mrs Jebb' (Infertile Blue Group) [15]
  • 'P.C. Abildgaard' (Infertile Blue Group) [16]
  • 'Slieve Donard' (Infertile Blue Group) [17]
  • 'Susan's Reward' (George Sherriff Group) [18]

Pests and diseases

In the United Kingdom, Meconopsis has been affected by the invasive golden root mealybug. [19] Damping off may occur on seedling grown plants. [20]

Related Research Articles

<i>Eschscholzia californica</i> Species of flowering plant and state flower of California

Eschscholzia californica, the California poppy, golden poppy, California sunlight or cup of gold, is a species of flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae, native to the United States and Mexico. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant flowering in summer, with showy cup-shaped flowers in brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow. It is also used as food or a garnish. It became the official state flower of California in 1903.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poppy</span> Species of flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae

A poppy is a flowering plant in the subfamily Papaveroideae of the family Papaveraceae. Poppies are herbaceous plants, often grown for their colourful flowers. One species of poppy, Papaver somniferum, is the source of the narcotic drug mixture opium which contains powerful medicinal alkaloids such as morphine and has been used since ancient times as an analgesic and narcotic medicinal and recreational drug. It also produces edible seeds. Following the trench warfare in the poppy fields of Flanders, Belgium during World War I, poppies have become a symbol of remembrance of soldiers who have died during wartime, especially in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth realms.

<i>Papaver</i> Genus of flowering plants in the poppy family Papaveraceae

Papaver is a genus of 70–100 species of frost-tolerant annuals, biennials, and perennials native to temperate and cold regions of Eurasia, Africa and North America. It is the type genus of the poppy family, Papaveraceae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papaveraceae</span> Family of flowering plants

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 temperate and subtropical climates, but almost unknown in the tropics. Most are herbaceous plants, but a few are shrubs and small trees. The family currently includes two groups that have been considered to be separate families: Fumariaceae and Pteridophyllaceae. Papaver is the classical name for poppy in Latin.

<i>Papaver cambricum</i> Species of flowering plant in the poppy family Papaveraceae

Papaver cambricum, synonym Meconopsis cambrica, the Welsh poppy, is a perennial flowering plant in the poppy family Papaveraceae. It has yellow to orange flowers and is widely grown as a garden plant. It is a native of damp, rocky sites in upland areas of Western Europe from the British Isles to the Iberian Peninsula. It has been used since 2006 as the basis for the logo of the political party Plaid Cymru.

<i>Meconopsis betonicifolia</i> Species of flowering plant in the poppy family Papaveraceae

Meconopsis betonicifolia, the Himalayan blue poppy, 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.

<i>Meconopsis napaulensis</i> Species of flowering plant in the poppy family Papaveraceae

Meconopsis napaulensis, the Nepal poppy or satin poppy, is a plant of the family Papaveraceae. The plant contains beta-carbolines, which act as a psychedelic drug. However, its phytochemistry remains predominantly unstudied.

Meconopsis villosa, the Himalayan woodland-poppy, is an ornamental poppy, which is native of Nepal. The species was placed in the genus Cathcartia erected by J.D. Hooker to honour J.F. Cathcart, an Indian civil servant and amateur botanist who collected and hired native artists to illustrate the flowers of the Himalayas. It was transferred to Meconopsis by George Taylor in 1934. In 2017, it was suggested that the genus Cathcartia should be revived, and this species again treated as Cathcartia villosa.

<i>Hunnemannia</i> Genus of flowering plants

Hunnemannia is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the poppy family Papaveraceae, containing the single species Hunnemannia fumariifolia native to the highlands of Mexico. It is typically found at elevations of 1,500–2,000 m (4,921–6,562 ft) in the Chihuahuan Desert and south into central Mexico, where it favors rocky habitats, occurring along roadsides as well.

<i>Roemeria argemone</i> Species of flowering plant in the poppy family Papaveraceae

Roemeria argemone is a species of flowering plant in the poppy family Papaveraceae. Its common names include long pricklyhead poppy, prickly poppy and pale poppy. Its native range includes parts of Eurasia and North Africa, but it can be found growing wild in parts of North America, where it is an introduced species. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant.

<i>Meconopsis grandis</i> Species of plant

Meconopsis grandis, the Himalayan blue poppy, is a species of flowering plant in the poppy family Papaveraceae, native to China (Yunnan), Bhutan, North East India and Nepal.

<i>Meconopsis manasluensis</i> Species of flowering plant in the poppy family Papaveraceae

Meconopsis manasluensis is a red-flowered Himalayan poppy belonging to Meconopsis subg. Discogyne, which forms a natural grouping of 6 or 7 species within the genus all characterised by a stylar disc surmounting the ovary. As reflected by the species etymology, M. manasluensis is endemic to the vicinity of the Manaslu Himal of Gorkha district, central Nepal, where it grows at high elevation and so far remains known only from its type collection locality.

Meconopsis bella is commonly known as the pretty blue poppy. M. bella is a species of the genus Meconopsis which is found from central Nepal to southeastern Tibet. It is a herbaceous flowering plant and is a part of the poppy family Papaveraceae. This plant is also referred to as Meconopsis bella prain, since it was aptly names by the botanist Prain.

<i>Meconopsis horridula</i> Species of flowering plant in the poppy family Papaveraceae

Meconopsis horridula, the prickly blue poppy, is a flowering plant from the family Papaveraceae. It is an endangered species that grows in high altitudes. The height of the plant varies from 20 cm to 1m. It is a monocarpic, dicot plant.

Meconopsis lancifolia is a plant species in the genus Meconopsis, in the family Papaveraceae. M. lancifolia is monocarpic, meaning that it flowers only once before dying.

<i>Meconopsis gakyidiana</i> Species of flowering plant

Meconopsis gakyidiana is a species of blue poppy native to Eastern Bhutan, Western Arunachal Pradesh of India and Southern Xizang of China. It is the national flower of Bhutan.

<i>Papaver heterophyllum</i> Plant species

Papaver heterophyllum, previously known as Stylomecon heterophylla, and better known as the wind poppy, is a winter annual herbaceous plant. It is endemic to the western California Floristic Province and known to grow in the area starting from the San Francisco Bay Area of Central Western California southwards to northwestern Baja California, Mexico. Its main habitat is often described as mesic and shady, with loamy soils such as soft sandy loam, clay loam, and leaf mold loam.

<i>Roemeria</i> Genus of Papaveraceae plants

Roemeria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Papaveraceae, native to Macaronesia, Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Caucasus, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, Central Asia, the western Himalayas, Pakistan, Xinjiang, and Mongolia. A 2006 molecular analysis revised the taxonomy of Papaver, elevating Roemeria to the genus level, and including the species formerly in Papaver sect. Argemonidium.

Cathcartia is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Papaveraceae, native to China, Nepal, the eastern Himalayas, and northern Myanmar. Chloroplast DNA evidence supports a split of Cathcartia from the blue poppy genus Meconopsis in an effort to resolve longstanding taxonomic difficulties in the Himalayan poppies.

<i>Oreomecon</i> Genus of plants

Oreomecon is a genus in the poppy family Papaveraceae. It was established in 2022 for what was previously treated as Papaver sect. Meconella in order to ensure that the genus Papaver was monophyletic. As of June 2023, names in the genus Oreomecon had only been published for better known and phylogenetically understood species present in Europe, either as natives or aliens.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Meconopsis Vig.". The International Plant Names Index . Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  2. Viguier, L.G.A. (1814). Histoire Naturelle, médicale et économique des Pavots et des Argémones (D.Med. thesis) (in French and Latin). University of Montpellier. Retrieved 2021-02-02. pp. 48–49.
  3. "Papaver cambricum L." The International Plant Names Index . Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  4. 1 2 Kadereit, Joachim W.; Preston, Chris D. & Valtueña, Francisco J. (2011). "Is Welsh Poppy, Meconopsis cambrica (L.) Vig. (Papaveraceae), truly a Meconopsis?". New Journal of Botany . 1 (2): 80–88. doi:10.1179/204234811X13194453002742. S2CID   84167424.
  5. 1 2 3 Liu, Yu-Cheng; Liu, Ya-Nan; Yang, Fu-Sheng & Wang, Xiao-Quan (2014). "Molecular Phylogeny of Asian Meconopsis Based on Nuclear Ribosomal and Chloroplast DNA Sequence Data". PLOS ONE. 9 (8): e104823. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...9j4823L. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104823 . PMC   4130606 . PMID   25118100.
  6. Grey-Wilson, Christopher (2012). "Proposal to conserve the name Meconopsis (Papaveraceae) with a conserved type". Taxon. 61 (2): 473–474. doi:10.1002/tax.612026.
  7. "Papaver L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  8. 1 2 Xiao, Wei & Simpson, Beryl B. (2017). "A New Infrageneric Classification of Meconopsis (Papaveraceae) Based on a Well-supported Molecular Phylogeny". Systematic Botany. 42 (2): 226–233. doi:10.1600/036364417X695466. S2CID   91152469.
  9. Yangzom, Rinchen; Long, David; Yoshida, Toshio (2017-01-17). "Dancing Butterflies of the East Himalayas New Meconopsis Species from East Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh and South Tibet". Sibbaldia: The International Journal of Botanic Garden Horticulture (14): 69–96. doi: 10.24823/Sibbaldia.2016.193 .
  10. "Meconopsis 'Bobby Masterton' (Infertile Blue Group)". RHS. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  11. "Meconopsis 'Dalemain' (George SHerriff Group)". RHS. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  12. "Meconopsis 'Keillour'". RHS. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  13. "Meconopsis 'Marit'". RHS. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  14. "Meconopsis 'Mop-Head' (Fertile Blue Group)". RHS. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  15. "Meconopsis 'Mrs Jebb' (Infertile Blue Group)". RHS. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  16. "Meconopsis 'P.C. Abildgaard' (Infertile Blue Group)". RHS. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  17. "Meconopsis 'Slieve Donard' (Infertile Blue Group)". RHS. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  18. "Meconopsis 'Susan's Reward' (George Sherriff Group)". RHS. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  19. Malumphy, Chris; Stevens, Evelyn; Williams, Douglas J (2014). "First European record of Chryseococcus arecae (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Stemorrhyncha, Pseudococcidae), a hypogeal mealybug pest of ornamental plants". Entomologist's Gazette. 65: 30–36. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  20. "Meconopsis". Royal Horticultural Society . Royal Horticultural Society. 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.