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Southern Blue Monkshood Aconitum uncinatum

Phonetic Spelling
a-kon-EYE-tum un-sin-AH-tum
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

More information on Aconitum.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#poisonous#fall flowers#white flowers#purple flowers#blue flowers#slopes#fall interest#rabbit resistant#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#thickets#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#Audubon#perennial#wildflower#woodland#poisonous to pets
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#poisonous#fall flowers#white flowers#purple flowers#blue flowers#slopes#fall interest#rabbit resistant#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#thickets#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#Audubon#perennial#wildflower#woodland#poisonous to pets
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Has a slender, weak branching stem.
  • 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
  • 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