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Ranunculaceae
Monkshood
Aconitum napellus
Caution and treachery.
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus
- Aconitum
- Native to
- Western and Central Europe
- Bloom season
- Summer, Fall
- Type
- perennial herb
- Height
- 2-4 ft
- Sunlight
- part shade to full sun
- Soil
- moist, rich, well-drained
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 3-7
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Monkshood is one of the most toxic plants in the European garden; the alkaloid aconitine can cause fatal cardiac arrest from mere skin contact with the roots.
- The hood-shaped upper sepal resembles a monk's cowl or a knight's helmet, giving rise to names like monkshood, friar's cap, and helmet flower.
- In ancient Rome, aconitum was known as 'the queen of poisons' and growing it was a capital offense during certain periods.
- In Greek mythology, monkshood sprang from the drool of the three-headed dog Cerberus when Heracles dragged him from the underworld.
- Despite its extreme toxicity, homeopathic preparations of aconite have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat fevers and pain.
Color meanings
0
beware
1
chivalry
2
knight-errantry