The Genus Meconopsis: Blue Poppies and their Relatives

Description

Meconopsis are among the most distinctive and beautiful members of the poppy family, Papaveraceae. Distributed across the Sino-Himalaya region from Pakistan to India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tibet and western China, many of the species have a great deal of horticultural as well as botanical appeal.
The first monograph of the genus was written in 1934 by George Taylor, later Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Taylor included 41 species in his account and since that time no major revision of the genus has been undertaken. Taking into account modern morphological and genetic studies, along with the discovery of new species in the intervening years, the number of species now stands at 70.
This new and complete revision of Meconopsis by Christopher Grey-Wilson takes into account all the work published since Taylor’s monograph, coupled with field observations by the author and other renowned experts. The book is extensively illustrated with 300 colour photographs of these beautiful and striking plants taken in the wild, showing the inherent variability seen in some species. Some plants are also illustrated in 20 paintings. There are also details of habitats and distribution, illustrated in 20 maps.
This latest in Kew’s Botanical Magazine Monograph series is due to be published in December. AGS members can secure a 25 per cent discount by ordering a copy now.