Scientific Name:
Aconitum napellus
Pronunciation:
ack-uh-NYE-tum nuh-PELL-us
Common Name:
monkshood
Family Name:
Ranunculaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves alternate, orbicular, most blades 7-10cm wide, deeply divided into 5-7 main lobes which are also incised to form smaller linear lobes; racemes 10-20cm long, florets "monk-hooded" (a modified sepal), deep purplish-blue to violet (some white or variegated), Jun-Jul.
Habit:
Stiffly upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Central / west Asia, Europe, North America
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 3: (-40 to -34 °C)
Exposure:
Part sun/part shade, Filtered shade, Deep shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Cut flower or foliage, Perennial border, Summer interest, Woodland margin (Caution: poisonous parts)
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple, Lobed, Dissected
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Compound Leaf:
Odd-pinnate
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Yellow, Brown
Shapes:
Orbicular
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Cordate, Hastate
Margins:
Incised, Lacerate, Palmately lobed
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Tubular
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Blue, Violet
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul
Fruit Type:
Follicle
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Oct, Nov
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Tan
Organ Modifications:
Tuberous roots
Propagation:
Seed, Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Low
Other:
May require staking; do not plant near food crops or where children play
Pest Susceptibility:
Mildew, Wilt (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant)
Course(s):
- CLT Training
- HORT 2355
- Level 4 Apprenticeship
Location(s):
- (GRB) GRass Bed : east