Harebell Poppy

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Harebell Poppy

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Meconopsis punicea var. limprichtii
• Meconopsis quintuplinervia var. glabra
• Papaver quintuplinervium
• Meconopsis biloba

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Ranunculales and the family Papaveraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Meconopsis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily located within several distinct regions of China. Its range extends through the areas classified as China South-Central and China North-Central. Furthermore, the species can be found growing in the province of Qinghai. It is also documented to inhabit the high-altitude terrains of Tibet. Together, these locations define the specific geographical distribution of Meconopsis quintuplinervia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Meconopsis quintuplinervia is characterized by its preference for high-altitude environments, where it occupies a specific niche within montane ecosystems. This species is primarily distributed across a significant vertical gradient, maintaining a presence in mountainous terrains ranging from a minimum elevation of 2300 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 4600 m AMSL. Throughout its habitat, the plant thrives at a mean elevation of approximately 3450 m AMSL, indicating an adaptation to the unique climatic conditions, such as lower temperatures and varying atmospheric pressures, typically found in these alpine or sub-alpine zones.

Elevational range max:

4600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3450 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Meconopsis quintuplinervia is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived plant, it establishes a stable presence within its ecological niche, undergoing repeated cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases. This perennial lifecycle enables the plant to accumulate resources over time, supporting its development and eventual flowering processes across successive years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Meconopsis quintuplinervia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. The plant typically exhibits a self-supporting habit and does not function as a climber. In terms of stature, it maintains a relatively low profile, with a plant height that generally reaches a mean of 0.4 m, though individual specimens may vary between a minimum of 0.3 m and a maximum of 0.5 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Meconopsis quintuplinervia are defined by a specific range of morphometric dimensions that influence its photosynthetic capacity and water regulation. The leaf length exhibits significant variability, with a minimum measurement of 2 cm, a mean length of 5.5 cm, and a maximum extension reaching up to 9 cm. Complementing these longitudinal dimensions, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 3 cm. These anatomical variations in leaf surface area play a critical role in the plant's metabolic efficiency and its ability to manage gas exchange within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length mean:

5.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Meconopsis quintuplinervia involves the development of distinct fruit structures that serve as the primary vessels for seed dispersal. These fruits exhibit measurable variation in size, with recorded fruit lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm. On average, the fruit length for this species is approximately 2 cm, representing a characteristic morphological trait during its reproductive cycle.

Fruit length max:

2.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

2 cm

Fruit length min:

1.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Meconopsis quintuplinervia has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include luteolin, quercetin, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, CATECHIN, Chrysoeriol.

luteolin

1. Current issues in molecular biology
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

quercetin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
2. Current issues in molecular biology

quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Phytochemistry
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

CATECHIN

1. Current issues in molecular biology

Chrysoeriol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Daucosterol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Huazhongilexone

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Hydnocarpin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Phytochemistry

METHYL LINOLEATE

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Activities

Meconopsis quintuplinervia has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant.

Analgesic

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Antioxidant

1. Current issues in molecular biology

Conditions

Meconopsis quintuplinervia has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hepatitis, liver diseases, COPD, analgesic, oxidative stress.

Hepatitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Liver diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Current issues in molecular biology

Copd

1. Current issues in molecular biology

Analgesic

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Oxidative stress

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tuberculosis

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Preparations

Meconopsis quintuplinervia has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extract, MQ extract.

Ethanolic extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Mq extract

1. Current issues in molecular biology