Ecological studies on five species of endangered Himalayan poppy,Meconopsis(Papaveraceae)

Abstract

Ecological studies were carried out on 19 endangered populations of Meconopsis horridula, M. paniculata, M. simplicifolia, M. sinuataandM. villosafrom the Sikkim Himalayas. The populations ofM. horridula, M. paniculataandM. sinuatainhabit open alpine slopes, those ofM. simplicifoliaare restricted to alpine meadows, while those of M. villosaare confined to the interiors of temperate forests and along forest fringes. The habitats of these species remain snow-bound from October to February. Analyses suggest that all the species except M. horridula, have a broad area of distribution, but narrow habitats and niches. All five species are confined to moist, clayey to silty soils with acidic pH, high concentrations of organic matter, nitrate, phosphate, potassium and calcium.M. paniculatais a ‘generalist’, whereas all other species investigated are ‘specialists’.