Aconitum
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-kon-EE-tum
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Monkshood is poisonous, with a narcotic juice present in the leaves and roots. Do not plant near the vegetable garden, where its fleshy roots could be mistaken for Jerusalem artichokes.
Found in: Forest or natural area, moist woods and along creek banks; landscape, flower garden as herbaceous perennial
Soil: Moist, well-drained soil
Propagation: Division of clumps in fall
Season: Mid to late summer
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aconitum
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Distribution:
- Mountains, Piedmont
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Poisonous
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Color ranges from blue, violet, white or blue-purple with the upper part hood- or helmit-like.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are alternate, simple, palmately, and are 3-9-lobed
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Poisonous if ingested. HIGHLY TOXIC, 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.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Alkaloids aconitine and others
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
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Hydrangea macrophylla
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Iris germanica
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Anemone
