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Aconitum balfourii - Stapf.

Common Name
Family Ranunculaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The whole plant is highly toxic - simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people[1].
Habitats Found in the upper subalpine areas in open positions on rocky slopes.
Range E. Asia - Himalayas from Nepal to Tibet at an elevation of 2200 - 4000 metres.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Aconitum balfourii


Aconitum balfourii

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 
Aconitum balfourii is a PERENNIAL. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is 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.
Analgesic  Antiinflammatory  Antirheumatic  Leprosy  Vermifuge

The tuber is used in Tibetan medicine where it is considered to have an acrid and sweet taste with a heating potency - it is also very poisonous[241, 243]. The root is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic and vermifuge[241]. It dries up serous fluids and is used in the treatment of all types of pain and inflammation from gout or arthritis, all disorders due to worms or micro-organisms, amnesia, loss of bodily heat, leprosy and paralysis[241].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. 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. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer[233]. Grows well in open woodlands[1, 4]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes[54].

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].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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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 carmichaeliiJapanese Aconite, Carmichael's monkshoodPerennial1.5 3-7  LMHSNM02 
Aconitum chasmanthum Perennial0.5 -  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum chinense Perennial1.2 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Aconitum columbianumColumbian monkshoodPerennial0.2 0-0  LMHSNM011
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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Stapf.

Botanical References

Links / References

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Readers comment

   Aug 26 2011 12:00AM

This plant have some important alkaloids due to which it have so many medicinal properties.This plant is in endangered condition. so there is an urgent need to conserve this valuable plant..

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Subject : Aconitum balfourii  
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