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Aconitum columbianum - Nutt.

Common Name Columbian monkshood
Family Ranunculaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The whole plant is highly toxic - simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people. The roots and seeds are the most toxic and also the leaves just before the plant flowers[212]. Available information suggests that Aconitum columbianum is probably not one of the extremely toxic aconites[270].
Habitats Moist woods to sub-alpine meadows, mostly along streams[60]. Spring-fed bogs, seep areas, meadows, along streams, and in other wet areas at elevations of 300 - 3500 metres[270].
Range North-western N. America - Alaska to California.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Aconitum columbianum Columbian monkshood


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dcrjsr/gallery_of_Sierra_flowers
Aconitum columbianum Columbian monkshood
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Aconitum columbianum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is in flower from July to August. The flowers are pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Nervine  Parasiticide  Sedative

The drug 'aconite' can be obtained from the root of this plant[212]. It is used as a heart and nerve sedative[212]. This is a very poisonous plant and should only be used with extreme caution and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Parasiticide

The seed is used as a parasiticide[172].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Thrives in most soils and in the light shade of trees[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist soil in sun or semi-shade[200]. Prefers a calcareous soil. Grows well in open woodlands[1, 4]. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer[233]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes[54]. Closely related to A. fischeri and part of that species according to some botanists[1]. A very variable plant, there is also a sub-species (A. columbianum viviparum) that produces bulbils in the leaf axils[270].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

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]. One to several small daughter tubers are produced at the first few nodes above the parent tuber, usually below ground, in a small percentage of the plants in bulbiferous and nonbulbiferous populations[270]. These can be removed and potted up to produce new plants[K]. Bulbils are produced in the leaf axils of sub-species viviparum[270]. These are an effective means of vegetative reproduction. They fall to the ground late in the season and sprout vigorously, giving rise to new plants[270].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Aconitum balfourii Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum carmichaeliiJapanese Aconite, Carmichael's monkshoodPerennial1.5 3-7  LMHSNM02 
Aconitum chasmanthum Perennial0.5 -  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum chinense Perennial1.2 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum delphinifolium Perennial0.2 -  LMHFSM011
Aconitum dienorrhizum Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum feroxIndian aconitePerennial1.0 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum fischeriFischer monkshoodPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum gammiei Perennial0.6 -  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum hemsleyanum Perennial1.5 4-8  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum heterophyllum Perennial1.5 5-9  LMHSNM12 
Aconitum japonicum Perennial1.0 4-8  LMHSNM02 
Aconitum koreanumKorean Monk's HoodPerennial1.5 -  LMHSNM10 
Aconitum kusnezoffiiBei Wu TouPerennial1.5 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum lycoctonumWolfsbanePerennial1.0 3-7  LMHSNM11 
Aconitum lycoctonum vulpariaWolfbanePerennial1.0 3-7  LMHSNM11 
Aconitum maximumKamchatka aconitePerennial0.2 0-0  LMHSNM001
Aconitum mokchangense  0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Aconitum multifidum Perennial1.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Aconitum napellusAconite, Venus' chariot, Wolfsbane Garden, Monk's Hood GardenPerennial1.5 3-8  LMHSNM12 
Aconitum orientale Perennial1.5 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum palmatum Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum rotundifolium Perennial0.5 -  LMHSNM10 
Aconitum septentrionale Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Aconitum uncinatumWild Monkshood, Southern blue monkshoodPerennial1.0 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum violaceum Perennial0.0 5-9  LMHSNM11 
Aconitum volubile Perennial Climber2.0 -  LMHSNM11 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Nutt.

Botanical References

160270

Links / References

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