Monkshood or Aconite – Beware the Pretty Blue Plant
March 17, 2010 | 
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Aconitum napellus (Ranunculaceae)
Description
A majestic plant sporting unforgettable blue blossoms which bloom in mid summer season. This stately garden perennial achieves a height of 60 cms (2 ft) with unique green firm leaves placed horizontally and deeply separated. One of several garden cultivars really worth developing with regard to herb garden beautification is ‘Bressingham Spire’, reaching a height of 90 cms (3ft).
The specific title napellus means ‘little turnip’ and represents the particular form of the underlying tuber. Every root lasts just 12 months; a new child produced alongside the parent tuber preserves the plant. Every aspect of the plant is utilized; the top level growth is usually gathered in summer season and the root during autumn or fall.
History
A very poisonous plant native to mountainous areas throughout northern temperate areas, monkshood was grown as a therapeutic plant for many years. Monkshood provided a toxin employed for tipping arrows as well as baiting wolves around medieval Europe, therefore earning them the name of ‘Wolf’s Bane’. Afterwards it became referred to as ‘monkshood’ and also ‘helmet flower’ in recognition of its hooded blossom. Winthrop’s seed order from America in 1631 calls it ‘munkhoods’.
Usage
It’s toxicity necessitates that it always be prescribed exclusively under professional medical supervision. Homeopathic products are utilized in the treatment of sciatica as well as neuralgia since the drug acts on the central nervous system.
Cultivation
Plant the seed the moment it is ripe, while taking care not to assume impressive results since the plants tend to be sluggish to set up via seed. Separating a new child tuber and planting it out in the autumn (fall) is going to be faster and most likely more profitable.
Planting may be performed relatively late into the winter, nonetheless it needs to be done prior to the stem bud bursting into emergence – which takes place quite soon in the spring. Pick a well spaded moisture-retentive environment someplace where you can find dappled shade.
Monkshood prefers the less humid zones and it is winter season hardy, but it may require overhead shelter in low temperature locations.
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Tags: 2 Responses to “Monkshood or Aconite – Beware the Pretty Blue Plant”
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Is this the same as a staggerweed? It’s also colored blue and poisonous
As far as I know the staggerweed is a smaller plant with white to lilac flowers that is often confused with the deadnettle and dwarf nettle. I have never seen a staggerweed plant that I know of, but the name comes from the staggering that takes place when stock feed on it. And indeed die from ingestion.
The trick here may be to look at the height. Monkshood is from 45 to 90 cm high, whereas I understand staggerweed to achieve about 45cm max.
Will research and do a future post. Thanks for enquiring.