Practical
Plants

Meconopsis aculeata

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

The whole plant, but especially the root, is considered to be poisonous, it contains narcotic principles[4][5].

Edible uses

The plant is said to be edible[2] but no further details are known, not even which part of the plant can be eaten.

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The root contains narcotic principles[4][5]. The entire plant is used in Tibetan medicine, where it is considered to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency[6]. 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[6].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Narcotic

Environment

Range
E. Asia - W. Himalayas from Pakistan to Uttar Pradesh.
Habitat
Rocky slopes and damp rocks, 3000 - 4000 metres[7]
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in late summer. Spring sown seed is slower to germinate[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation

Grows best in a woodland soil in partial shade[1][3]. The soil should be lime-free, moist, well-drained and moderately rich[3]. Dislikes full sun and windy positions[3]. Monocarpic, the plants living for a number of years before flowering but then dying once they flower[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. Coventry. B. O. Wild Flowers of Kashmir Raithby, Lawrence and Co. 1923-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India 1994-00-00 ISBN 81-900489-0-2

    ↩1↩2

  7. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩

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