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Aconitum heterophyllum

a perennial member of the Aconitum genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Aconitum heterophyllum has 0 edible uses listed
Aconitum heterophyllum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The whole plant is highly toxic - simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people[1]. One report says that this plant does not contain the toxic alkaloid aconitine, and so is not poisonous[2]. It does, however, still contain an intensely bitter alkaloid[2].

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves and root - cooked[3]. This report should be treated with great distrust due to the poisonous nature of the genus, but see the notes above on known hazards[K].

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Aconitum heterophyllum.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The dried root is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cholagogue, febrifuge and tonic[2][4]. It is used in India in the treatment of dyspepsia, diarrhoea and coughs[4][5]. It is also used in Tibetan medicine, where it is said to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency[6]. It is used to treat poisoning from scorpion or snake bites, the fevers of contagious diseases and inflammation of the intestines[6]. The root is best harvested in the autumn as soon as the plant dies down and is dried for later use[2]. This is a very poisonous plant and should only be used with extreme caution and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

Unknown part

Analgesic
Antiinflammatory
Antiperiodic
Aphrodisiac
Astringent
Cholagogue
Febrifuge
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[7]. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate[8]. 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][7]. 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].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Aconitum heterophyllum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



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[10]. Prefers a calcareous soil.

Grows well in open woodlands[1][2]. The roots of this plant are extensively collected from the wild for medicinal use and the species is becoming much rarer in many areas of its range[11]. 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[12].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Aconitum heterophyllum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Aconitum heterophyllum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Aconitum heterophyllum
Genus
Aconitum
Family
Ranunculaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3]
Medicinal uses
[2][4][5][6]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[1]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. (1993-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India ISBN 81-900489-0-2 (1994-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
    8. ? Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. (1987-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    10. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    11. ? Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
    12. ? Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-145" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.


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    Facts about "Aconitum heterophyllum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyRanunculaceae +
    Belongs to genusAconitum +
    Has binomial nameAconitum heterophyllum +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves + and Root +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeBees +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnalgesic +, Antiinflammatory +, Antiperiodic +, Aphrodisiac +, Astringent +, Cholagogue +, Febrifuge + and Tonic +
    Has search nameaconitum heterophyllum +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameAconitum heterophyllum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Aconitum heterophyllum +, Aconitum heterophyllum +, Aconitum heterophyllum +, Aconitum heterophyllum +, Aconitum heterophyllum +, Aconitum heterophyllum +, Aconitum heterophyllum +, Aconitum heterophyllum +, Aconitum heterophyllum + and Aconitum heterophyllum +