Meconopsis napaulensis DC., Prodr. 1: 121. 1824. M. wallichii Hook. f. in Curtis, Bot. Mag. 78: t. 4668. 1852; Hook. f. & Thomson in Fl. Brit. India 1: 119. 1872.

Herbs, monocarpic; stems 0.5 - 2 m high, covered with ca 7 mm long stiff brownish bristles throughout. Leaves elliptic-oblong, imperfectly 1 - 2 pinnatisect or partite; segments ovate-oblong, sinuate-pinnatilobed; basal leaves ca 45 cm long, on 5 - 20 cm long petioles, often more strongly pinnatisect; segments oblong with large rounded teeth; upper most ones often entire. Flowers axillary on 2.5 - 6 (-10) cm long brownish bristly pedicels. Sepals ovate-oblong, obtuse, 1.5 - 2 cm long. Petals 4, obovate-suborbicular, 2 - 4 cm long, red to purple or blue, often white with yellow nerves. Filaments filiform, 8 - 10 mm long; anthers ca 2 mm long. Ovary ellipsoid-oblong or ovoid, clothed with same hairs as on stem; styles distinct, 2 - 10 mm long, becoming slightly swollen at base in fruit; stigmas capitate or subclavate, 5 - 8-lobed. Capsules oblong-ellipsoid, 15 - 35 x 10 mm, hairy, dehiscing by 5 - 8 valves; seeds ovoid, oblong, 1 - 1.2 mm long, papillose.

Fl. & Fr. July - Oct.

Distrib. India: C. & E. Himalayas, common in fir forests and near mountain streams, 2700 - 4300 m. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

Nepal, Bhutan and China.

Notes. Very variable in colour of flowers, degree and density of indumentum and size and shape of leaves.

Chromosme no. n = 28 (Ratter in Notes R. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 28: 191 - 200. 1967).

The specific epithet is often spelled as 'nepalellsis' and 'nipalensis', but the original spelling is 'napaulensis'.