Perennial of the Papaveraceae family, native to the mountainous regions of southwest China, Tibet, and northern Burma, where it grows between 3,000 and 4,500 meters altitude, in moist alpine meadows, edges of coniferous forests, and cool grassy slopes, on acidic, deep, and well-drained soils.
It forms an upright clump that can reach 60 to 80 cm in height when in bloom. The basal leaves are oval to oblong, crenate, of a tender green, slightly hairy; the cauline leaves gradually decrease towards the top of the stem.
The flowers, borne on long slender stems, are sky blue to pure azure blue, with four silky petals and a cluster of golden stamens at the center. These bluish hues of such intensity are among the rarest in the plant world.
In its natural habitat, it blooms from June to August. In cultivation under temperate climates, it generally blooms in May-June.
It requires acidic, deep, humus-rich soil, constantly cool without being waterlogged, in partial shade. It poorly tolerates dry heat and is more perennial under cool Atlantic climates, such as in Scotland or western France, where it can behave as a true perennial.