Aconitum hemsleyanum

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

The whole plant is highly toxic - simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people^[1].

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

A widely used herbal remedy in China, where it is cultivated for its root^[8]. This is harvested in the autumn as the plant dies down and is then dried before being used. The root is anaesthetic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, cardiotonic, stimulant and vasodilator^[8]. Use with caution, the plant is very poisonous and should not be used internally^[5].

Environment

Range

E. Asia - C. and W. China.

Habitat

Forests, forest margins, scrub, mountains and grassy slopes at elevations of 1700 - 3500 metres^[7].

Light

full sun

Shade tolerance

light shade

Water

moderate

Hardiness

Zone 4+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay

Soil pH

acid, neutral, alkaline

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

Drought

intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame^[2]. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate^[3]. 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]^[2]. 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^[6].

Cultivation

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^[4]. Prefers a calcareous soil. Grows well in open woodlands^[1]^[8]. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer^[6]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes^[9]. Closely related to A. fischeri and considered to be part of that species by some botanists^[1].

References

F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

↩1 ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

↩1 ↩2

Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

↩

Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

↩

Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

↩

Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8