Two New Species of Meconopsis (Papaveraceae) from Southern Biluo Xueshan, Yunnan, China

Abstract

Two new species of Meconopsis (Papaveraceae), collected by Toshio Yoshida, from Mts. Biluo Xueshan in NW Yunnan along a narrow belt between two valleys Mekong (Lancang Jiang) and Salween (Nu Jiang), are described. Meconopsis bijiangensis is similar to M. racemosa Maxim., M. rudis (Prain) Prain and M. speciosa Prain, but apparently differs from them in having large, cylindrically ellipsoid capsules 2.5-3.8 cm long, with 3 or 4 grooves and dense spreading spine-like hairs the base of which is blackish and raised. Meconopsis castanea H. Ohba, T. Yoshida & Hang Sun resembles M. bijiangensis H. Ohba, T. Yoshida & Hang Sun and M. racemosa Maxim., but is distinguished from them by the maroon petals, the larger capsules, and the spine-like hairs without raised blackish base.