ECOLOGICAL-STUDIES ON 5 SPECIES OF ENDANGERED HIMALAYAN POPPY, MECONOPSIS (PAPAVERACEAE)

Ecological studies were carried out on 19 endangered populations of Me conopsis horridula, M, paniculata, M. simplicifolia, M. sinuata and M. villosa from the Sikkim Himalayas. The populations of M. horridula, M . paniculata and M. sinuata inhabit open alpine slopes, those of M. si mplicifolia are restricted to alpine meadows, while those of M. villos a are 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. A ll five species are confined to moist, clayey to silty soils with acid ic pH, high concentrations of organic matter, nitrate, phosphate, pota ssium and calcium. M. paniculata is a 'generalist', whereas all other species investigated are 'specialists'. (C) 1996 The Linnean Society o f London