Aconitum napellus Aconite (Ranunculaceae)

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Aconitum napellus
Aconite
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The Aconitum napellus plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Ranunculaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Aconite.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Aconitum napellus
Common Name:  Aconite
Family:  Ranunculaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The whole plant is highly toxic, acting especially on the nerve centres. At first it stimulatesthe central and peripheral nervous system and then paralyzes it. Other symptoms of poisoning include a burning sensation on the tongue, vomitting, tomach pain and diarrhoea. Simple skin contact with the plant has caused numbness in some people[4, 7, 9, 10, 14, 19, 65, 76, 244]. The root contains 90% more poison than the leaves[232].

Mature Height:  1.5   Mature Width:  0.3

Habitat:  Damp shady places and moist rich meadows in southern Wales and southwestern England[7, 13, 31, 165, 176]. It is usually found in calcareous soils[9].

Propagation Notes: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[111]. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate[133]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Division - best done in spring but it can also be done in autumn[1, 111]. Another report says that division is best carried out in the autumn or late winter because the plants come into growth very early in the year[233].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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