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Ranunculaceae
Friar's Cup
Aconitum napellus
Caution and chivalry.
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus
- Aconitum
- Native to
- Western and Central Europe
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- Herbaceous perennial
- Height
- 3-5 feet
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil
- Rich, moist, well-drained
- Water
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- 3-7
- Lifespan
- Perennial
Did you know
- Monkshood is one of the most poisonous plants in the European flora; even touching it can cause tingling and numbness.
- The hood-shaped upper sepal gives the plant its various common names: monkshood, friar's cup, and wolf's bane.
- In ancient times, the root extract was used to poison arrow tips and wolf bait, hence 'wolf's bane.'
- Despite its toxicity, it was used in extremely dilute preparations in traditional medicine for pain relief.
- The deep blue flowers are pollinated almost exclusively by long-tongued bumblebees that can reach the nectar.
Color meanings
0
Beware
1
Chivalry
2
Knight-errantry