Meconopsis wallichii
Meconopsis wallichii is a member of the poppy family (Papaveraceae). It is a monocarpic perennial featuring rosettes of very hairy, finely divided, fernlike foliage and bowl-shaped flowers borne in large, upright panicles. According to research, the flowers can range in a variety of colours from white to maroon-purple. The ones at VanDusen are a very pale bluish-white.
M. wallichii is native to the high alpine slopes of the Himalayas. It can grow to almost 2 metres (6 feet) tall when in flower. M. wallichii is known to have medicinal properties, and has been used in traditional Tibetan medicine as a narcotic. An edible oil can be extracted from the seeds.
M. wallichii can be found just past the stone bridge in the Meconopsis Dell. A grouping of them was planted in 2023.
Text and photos by Kumi Sutcliffe