Aconitum (Ranunculaceae)
The famous (and infamous!) Monkshood, or Wolfsbane, has been utilized by humans for thousands of years as the source of aconite, a deadly poison. It was used to poison arrow tips for hunting and warfare. The name may come from the old Greek word for a dart or javelin akon. It is also a lovely and long lived perennial with different species blooming from mid-Summer through late Fall. We are growing several species. The ‘napellus’, a Summer flowering type species the fall flowering ‘carmichaelii’ and the yellow flowering form ‘lamrkii’. Gardeners should use gloves when dividing and handling Monkshood to avoid accidental poisoning. Worth it though.
The famous (and infamous!) Monkshood, or Wolfsbane, has been utilized by humans for thousands of years as the source of aconite, a deadly poison. It was used to poison arrow tips for hunting and warfare. The name may come from the old Greek word for a dart or javelin akon. It is also a lovely and long lived perennial with different species blooming from mid-Summer through late Fall. We are growing several species. The ‘napellus’, a Summer flowering type species the fall flowering ‘carmichaelii’ and the yellow flowering form ‘lamrkii’. Gardeners should use gloves when dividing and handling Monkshood to avoid accidental poisoning. Worth it though.
The famous (and infamous!) Monkshood, or Wolfsbane, has been utilized by humans for thousands of years as the source of aconite, a deadly poison. It was used to poison arrow tips for hunting and warfare. The name may come from the old Greek word for a dart or javelin akon. It is also a lovely and long lived perennial with different species blooming from mid-Summer through late Fall. We are growing several species. The ‘napellus’, a Summer flowering type species the fall flowering ‘carmichaelii’ and the yellow flowering form ‘lamrkii’. Gardeners should use gloves when dividing and handling Monkshood to avoid accidental poisoning. Worth it though.
Selections
We carry several species of monkshood. Aconitum Carmichaelii-Arendsii is the classic late blooming species with glossy leaves and flowers in September and October. A. Lamarkii and A. Lycoctonum are a yellow, summer flowering species. A. Napaellius is a blue flowering species that blooms mid-summer.