Devil's Helmet Aconitum uncinatum
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Devil's Helmet:
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-kon-EYE-tum un-sin-AH-tum
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Eastern blue monkshood is a member of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and is native to the Eastern United States. It is most often found in the mountains, occasionally in the Piedmont but not in coastal areas. It is listed as endangered in five states and as vulnerable in North Carolina.
It is suitable for a variety of soil textures, including heavy clay, provided a moist environment is present. A dappled shade is ideal with the roots shaded from the mid-day sun. The thin flexible stems have a vining habit and will grow to 5 feet, tending to lean on or twine around any plants nearby for support. Propagation is from seeds and division. Wear gloves when handling this plant due to the toxic properties of the sap. Divide in the fall or winter once the leaves have died back.
The violet-blue or lavender-blue hooded flowers appear in late summer to fall in small clusters at the tips of the stems. The leaves are 4-6 inches long and wide with 3-5 lobes and toothed margins.
Use this plant in a woodland setting, a shade garden, in a shady border, in a naturalized area and along a stream or pond. Use with caution around pets.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Occasional disease problems include crown rot, powdery mildew, and verticillium wilt.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aconitum
- Species:
- uncinatum
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Has been used medicinally. A drug made from this plant has been used to treat neuralgia and sciatica.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern United States
- Distribution:
- AL, DC, GA, IL, IN, KY ,MD, NC, NH, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Butterfly nectar source
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Not edible
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Creeping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Aggregate
- Follicle
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is dry and will split open when ripe. It displays from September to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are blue-purple with the upper part hooded- or helmet-like. They have 1-in. deep purple or purplish blue flowers clustered at the end of stems that consist of five sepals and 2 petals. The upper sepal forms a rounded hood, concealing part of two claw-like petals. Flowers bloom from August to October.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The veined leaves are alternate, simple, palmately and 3 to 5 lobed. They are 4-6 inches long and wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Has a slender, weak branching stem.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Poisonous if ingested. May be fatal if eaten. Burning of lips and mouth, numbness of throat; intense vomiting and diarrhea, muscular weakness and spasms, weak pulse, paralysis of the respiratory system, convulsions; may be fatal. Poisonous to pets.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Alkaloids aconitine and others
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
