Aconitum lycoctonum vulparia
Wolfbane
a perennial member of the Aconitum genus in the family Ranunculaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus
- Aconitum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1 m
- Spread
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The whole plant is highly toxic - simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people[1][4][12].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Some reports suggest the root is edible if cooked[16][15], but these should be treated with extreme caution due to the highly toxic nature of the plant[K]. There are no edible uses listed for Aconitum lycoctonum vulparia.
Medicinal uses
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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The root is analgesic, anodyne, diaphoretic, diuretic, irritant, sedative[10][13][14][6]. This is a very poisonous plant and should only be used with extreme caution and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.
- Product or use
- Analgesic
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Irritant
- Product or use
- Sedative
Environment
- Range
- Europe to Asia
- Habitat
- Woods and bushy places in damp shady places.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[3]. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate[5]. 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][3]. 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[9].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[8]. Prefers a calcareous soil. Grows well in open woodlands[1][10]. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer[9]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes[11]. An aggregate species which is divided by some botanists into many species.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00
Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)