Ladakh – Himalayan Blue Poppy
Common Name: Himalayan Blue Poppy
Scientific Name: Meconopsis aculeata
Description: This species of Meconopsis, which has blue flowers, is prickly and only found in a few places in Pakistan and India, specifically in the western Himalayas.
Uses: In Ladakh, it is also referred to as Bhoti ‘Tsersnon’. It is employed in the traditional medical system of Sowa-Rigpa (sometimes called the Amchi system) along with Juniperus polycarpos, popularly known as Bhoti ‘Shukpa’. The species is highly prized for its therapeutic properties, and as a result, over-collection of the plant has put strain on wild populations.