PLATE 5 
MECONOPSIS INTEGRIFOLIA. 
Meconopsis integvifolia , Franch. in Bull. Soc. Bot. Fr. 1886 (not of Bulley in Flora 
and Sylva, 1905) ; Gard. Chron. 1904, ii., 240 (fig.) ; Le Jardin, 1904, 328; Bot. Mag. 
t. 8027. 
The genus Meconopsis belongs to the Poppy family (Papaveracese), 
and resembles the Poppies so much in general appearance and structure 
that its name was suggested by two Greek words meaning “ Poppy-like.” 
During the past two or three years the genus has come very much into 
prominence, owing, no doubt, to the introductions of fine forms from 
the East. 
The subject of our plate is one of the newest and most remarkable 
additions to the genus. According to the “ Botanical Magazine,” it was 
first discovered in 1872-3, by the Russian traveller, Przewalski, in the 
extreme north-west of the province of Kansuh. It was subsequently met 
with by other travellers in China, including Potanin, the Abbe Delavay, 
and Mr. A. E. Pratt. Its first appearance in Europe was due to the 
Abbe Farges, who sent seeds of it to M. Maurice Vilmorin, of Paris, in 
1895. Plants from these first flowered in 1897, but as no seeds were 
produced, the plant dropped out of cultivation. 
Its next appearance in cultivation was from seeds collected by Mr. 
Wilson when travelling in China for Messrs. Yeitch, in the year 1903. He 
“found it in millions” on the mountains west of Tachienlu, at elevations 
of 11,000 to 15,000 feet, never lower. At these altitudes the plants are, 
of course, subject to intense cold, and have consequently proved to be 
quite hardy in our climate in the open air. 
The plant is a true biennial and forms dense tufts of lance-shaped 
leaves, which mostly spring from the root-stock, and are grey-green in colour, 
densely covered with brownish hairs. If one imagines the plant in the 
plate to be about four times larger, a very good idea of its actual size and 
appearance may be gained. In its native habitat it often reaches a height 
of 3 feet, with as many as 18 flowers on a stem. The height, however, 
varies with the altitude, the plants highest up on the mountain sides being 
merely rosettes of leaves, with a solitary flower nestling in the centre. 
The flowers resemble those of the well-known Scarlet Poppy (Pap aver 
orient ale), but are of a clear yellow colour with the 8 petals, arching 
inwards over the numerous stamens which surround the 7-8-rayed stigma 
in the centre. Unlike poppy flowers, those of Meconopsis integrifolia remain 
in perfect condition for a long time, and do not drop soon after they 
have opened. 
