Tag: Aconitum

Aconitum koreanum

[amazon_link asins=’0877733988,0939616823,0939616831,B00PWKAGO8,0939616157,4871872076,0425149870,1602201218,093961684X’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’0963fa10-1624-11e7-b4b9-23509b4f5c38′]

Botanical Name: Aconitum koreanum
Family : Ranunculaceae
Genus : Aconitum
Synonyms : Aconitum komarovii – Steinb.
English Name : Korean monk’s hood
Korean Name: Bag-boo-ja
Parts used : Rhizome.

Common Name: Korean monk’s hood

Habitat : Asia – Korea. Sparse shrub thickets, dry short grass meadows and on argillaceous and stony mountain slopes. Grassy areas in the mountain valleys or on slopes.

Description:
Erect, glabrous, perinial herb with thickened roots, to 1 m tall. Leaves alternate, plamately 3-5 aleft, long-petioled, petioles of upper leaves shoter, almost sesslle, leaflets deeply divided again to lanceolate, sharply acuminate. Flowers racemose at terminal, zygomorphic, pale yellow, sometimes purplish tint ; pedicels short, densely
pubescent ; sepais 5, petal-like, the upper one clearly hooded, the other flat, the lower 2 narrower than the others; petal 2, small,hidden under the hood; stames many, over 3- celled, glaborous. Fruit of 3 follcies, sharp at tip. July-Aug.

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES

It is hardy to zone 0. The flowers are pollinated by Bees.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Cultivation:
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by the native range of the plant it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. 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. Prefers a calcareous soil. Grows well in open woodlands. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes.

Propagation:
Seed – best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate. 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. 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.

Chemical Structures :->

Edible Uses:
Edible Parts: Leaves.

Young leaves – cooked. This report should be treated with great distrust due to the poisonous nature of the genus.

Medicinal Actions & Uses.
Analgesic; Cardiotonic; Uterine tonic.
The root is used in Korea to treat chills in the legs and arms and articular pain. The root contains a number of highly toxic alkaloids that can be carditoxic, causing hypotension and arrhythmia, unless they are first allowed to degrade, usually by drying the plant. The root has been shown to be analgesic, cardiac tonic, uterine stimulant.

Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Aconitum+koreanum

Click to access 5.pdf

Tags Aconitum, Add new tag, Calcareous, Flower, Garden, Korea, Plant, Rhizome, Shrub

Herbs & Plants

Aconitum Hemsleyanum

[amazon_link asins=’B00V50OAE6,B01CCRZ1DE,B01GMR3CP4,B015374T7E,B01K4EYA52′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’6f89eb9c-1625-11e7-9bd3-1d74af499622′]

Botanical Name:Aconitum hemsleyanum
Family : Ranunculaceae
Common Name : Climbing Monkshood
Genus : Aconitum
Habitat: Aconitum hemsleyanum is native to E. Asia – C. and W. China. Forests, forest margins, scrub, mountains and grassy slopes at elevations of 1700 – 3500 metres.Woodland Garden; Dappled Shade;

Description:
Aconitum hemsleyanum is a deciduous, herbaceous perennial with a climbing habit. Its glossy dark green leaves are ovate-pentagonal, deeply lobed with up to 7 segments and up to 12cm long and 13cm across. Its stems are twining which enables this plan to climb. Its dark violet/ blue flowers are hood shaped, up to 2cm tall and appear in clusters of up to 12. The flowers are pollinated by Bees.

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES

The etymological root of the binomial name Aconitum is from the ancient Greek name for this plant and is loosely translated as ‘unconquerable poison’. Hemsleyanum is named after William botting Hemsley (1843 – 1924), an English botanist.

The landscape architect may find Aconitum hemsleyanum useful as a relatively low growing climbing plant with blue flowers in early autumn. Care should be taken when locating this plant due to its poisonous nature, including via skin.

Aconitum hemsleyanum prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes wet soils.

Cultivation
Thrives in most soils and in the light shade of trees. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist soil in sun or semi-shade. Prefers a calcareous soil. Grows well in open woodlands. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes. Closely related to A. fischeri and considered to be part of that species by some botanists.

Propagation
Seed – best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate. 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. 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

Medicinal Uses
A widely used herbal remedy in China, where it is cultivated for its root. 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. Use with caution, the plant is very poisonous and should not be used internally.

Known Hazards: The whole plant is highly toxic – simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Aconitum+hemsleyanum
http://www.hortusb.com/ache.html

Aconitum hemsleyanum

Herbs & Plants

Aconitum Ferox

[amazon_link asins=’B00VBDN912′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’d0c48d9c-1626-11e7-a834-8b93c85ba87b’]

[amazon_link asins=’B013P251CQ,B005P0RN0A,B0083V5N1Y,B0006NXG4S,B001GCTWRI,B005P0WBG6,B000V40ZC8,B00126B9DS,B00VPPCNI6′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’30ec2fb5-1627-11e7-8379-311d32aa0413′]
Botanical Name:Aconitum ferox
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Aconitum
Species: A. ferox
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Ranunculales

Common Name :Aconitum virorum,Indian Aconite,Bishnag

Syn: Aconitum virosum Don., A. napellus var. rigidum Hook, f & T.
English names: Wolf’s bane, Indian aconite.
Sanskrit names: Vatsanabha, Visa.
Vernacular names: Hin: Bish, Mahoor; Guj and Mar: Vachang; Kas: Mohra; Tam: Vasnumbi; Tel: Vasnabhi.
Trade name: Bish.
Genus : Aconitum
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ranunculales
Species: A. ferox

Known Hazards:Aconitum ferox is considered the most poisonous plant in the world. The whole plant is highly toxic – simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people

Habitat : E. Asia – Himalayas. Shrubberies and forest clearings, 2100 – 3600 metres from C. Nepal to Bhutan.Abundant at Sandakphu, which is the highest point of the Darjeeling Hills in the Indian State of West Bengal.Woodland Garden; Dappled Shade;

Description:
A deciduous perennial that grows up to 1.0 metre tall by 0.5 metres wide and which favours many types of soil. They are handsome plants with the tall and erect stem crowned by racemes of large eye-catching blue, purple, white, yellow or pink zygomorphic flowers with numerous stamens. They are distinguished by having one of the five petaloid sepals (the posterior one), called the galea, in the form of a cylindrical helmet; hence the English name monkshood. There are 2-10 petals, in the form of [nectary|nectaries]. The two upper petals are large. They are placed under the hood of the calyx and are supported on long stalks.

click to see the pictures…..>.…..(01)....(1)..……….(2).…….…(3)..…

It’s roots look like the navel of children; leaves alternate, simple, rounded or oval, may be palmately 5-lobed; flowers borne on branched racemes, bracts and bracteoles present, large helmet-type, helmet vaulted with short sharp beak, pale dirty blue in colour, zygomorphic, floral parts arranged spirally on an elongated receptacle; follicles erect, usually densely villose-sometimes glabrous.

It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from August to September. The flowers are pollinated by Bees.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Cultivation:
Thrives in most soils and in the light shade of trees. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist soil in sun or semi-shade. Prefers a calcareous soil. Grows well in open woodlands. The root of this plant is widely collected from the wild for medicinal use and is becoming much rarer in much of its range. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes. Closely related to A. napellus.

Constituents: It is from “Aconitum ferox” that the well known Indian poison bikh, bish, or nabee is produced. It contains large quantities of the alkaloid pseudaconitine, which is a deadly poison. Aconite was often used as an ingredient in the psychoactive drugs prepared by the descendants of Hecate (the Greek goddess of sorcery and witchcraft). It was also used in European witchcraft ointments and has been used by poisoners.
Root: pseudoaconitine (a toxic alkaloid), indactonitine, chasmaconitine, bikhaconitine.

Medicinal Actions & Uses:-
Alterative; Anaesthetic; Antiarthritic; Deobstruent; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Sedative; Stimulant.

The dried root is alterative, anaesthetic, antiarthritic, deobstruent, diaphoretic, diuretic, sedative, stimulant. It is best harvested in the autumn as soon as the plant dies down. This is a very poisonous plant and should only be used with extreme caution and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. It has been used in India and Nepal in the treatment of neuralgia, leprosy, fevers, cholera and rheumatism. When the roots are soaked in cow’s urine, they become soft and lose their depressant action on the heart, becoming a stimulant instead.
Traditional use: AYURVEDA : Root: used in the mrityunjaya rasa (used to treat the fever supposed to be caused by deranged vayu, i.e., wind, sannipatika jvara, i.e., remittent fever, hingulesware-rasa, anandabhairav agnitundi vati, etc.

Vatsanabha has been used in medicine from a very remote period. It is regarded as healing and stimulant. It is used in a great variety of affections, but is specially recommended in fever, cephalagia, affections of throat, dyspepsia and rheumatism. HOMOEOPATHY: remedy for clotting of blood in heart or in lungs, pneumonia, Iymptisis, pleurisy, eye trouble, earache, toothache and urinary trouble.

Modern use: Extremely poisonous; used in leprosy, fever, cholera, nasal catarrah, tonsillitis, sore throat, gastric disorders, debility, etc., also used as a sedative and diaphoretic; applied in the form of paste in cases of neuralgia and rheumatism.

Resources:
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Aconitum+ferox
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aconitum_ferox
http://earthisours.blogspot.com/2008/05/45-flora-species-face-threat-of.html

http://www.bsienvis.nic.in/medi.htm#Aconitum ferox

Tags Aconitum, Aconitum ferox, Add new tag, Agriculture, Botany, C. Nepal, Diaphoresis, Flower, Garden, Greek mythology, Himalayas, Homeopathy, India, Petal, Plant, Poison, Ranunculaceae, Soil, Vatsanabha, Wolf

Herbs & Plants

Aconitum Delphinifolium

[amazon_link asins=’1481491784,B071V4Y9GP,B0099YDQCW,B00OCK89M0′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’59e8f878-499e-11e7-a308-39d1a2a1383a’]

Botanical Name :Aconitum delphinifolium
Family : Ranunculaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Ranunculales
Tribe: Delphinieae
Genus: Aconitum

Common Names: Aconite, Monkshood, Wolf’s bane, Leopard’s bane, Mousebane, Women’s bane, Devil’s helmet, Queen of all Poisons, or Blue rocket

Habitat: Aconitum delphinifolium is native to North-western N. America – British Columbia to Alaska and west to northern Asia.
It grows on the meadows, along creeks, thickets, woods, rocky slopes, and alpine tundra from sea level to altitudes of 1700 metres.

Description:–
Aconitum delphinifoliumerennial is a perennial plant, growing to 0.2m.
It is hardy to zone 0. It is in flower from June to August. The flowers are pollinated by Bees.

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It requires moist soil.

Cultivation :-
Thrives in most soils and in the light shade of trees. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist soil in sun or semi-shade. Prefers a calcareous soil. Grows well in open woodlands. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes. Closely related to A. napellus and part of that species according to some botanists.

Propagation:-
Seed – best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate. 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 . 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 .

Constituents:
A short report received on 24 September 1985. Available online 15 March 2001. from the Chemistry Department of The University, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Nine C19-diterpenoid alkaloids were isolated from Aconitum delphinifolium, one of which was the apparently previously unknown 14-O-acetylsachaconitine.

Medicinal Actions & Uses
Miscellany.

The Salishan used Aconitum delphiniifolium for unspecified medicinal purposes.

Other Uses:-
Parasiticide.

The seed is used as a parasiticide.

Known Hazards : The whole plant is highly toxic – simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people

Resources:
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Aconitum+delphinifolium
http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/aconitum-delphinifolium-2591-pictures.htm
http://www.srgc.org.uk/discus/messages/4/37413.html
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TH7-42K6YWP-13D&_user=10&_coverDate=12%2F31%2F1986&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=fca8c69d4c46a09d06e36075cf04348a

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aconitum

Tags Aconitum, Add new tag, Asia, Botany, British Columbia, Calgary, Garden, Home, Plant

Herbs & Plants

Aconitum Columbianum

[amazon_link asins=’B01FDUCA6I’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’20b987af-498f-11e7-a6e6-957918cb1bad’]

Botanical Name: Aconitum columbianum
Family: Ranunculaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ranunculales
Genus: Aconitum
Species: A. columbianum

Synonym: Helleboraceae (Hellebore Family). Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
Common names: Columbian monkshood or western monkshood.

Habitat : This wildflower is native to western North America where it grows in moist areas.(North-western N. America – Alaska to California.) Moist woods to sub-alpine meadows, mostly along streams. Spring-fed bogs, seep areas, meadows, along streams, and in other wet areas at elevations of 300 – 3500 metres.

Description:
It is a spindly, twining perennial plant with lobed or toothed leaves and long stems with far-spaced flowers. The folded, wrinkly flowers are often deep blue or purple, but may also be white or yellowish, and they usually have a spur. The fruits are pod-like follicles. Like other monkshoods, this plant is poisonous.

It is hardy to zone 0. It is in flower from July to August. The flowers are pollinated by Bees.

Aconitum columbianum subsp. columbianum is a tall plant that resembles a Delphinium. The flower spike is terminal and deep blue or purple. The deeply lobed leaves also look like Delphinium, but the flowers have a distinct “hood,” making it easy to tell the two genera apart. Aconitum columbianum subsp. columbianum grows in moist, high elevation meadows.

Click to see more pictures:

Monkshood often is mistaken for its cousin Delphinium barbeyi; the two grow in similar moist habitats and both have broad, leafy, sometimes shrub-like growth, and very tall flower stalks. Delphinium, though, reaches seven feet and Monkshood only five. Monkshood flowers are most often intensely deep purple with a high arching hood. Delphinium flowers range from inky blue through violet to purple and have a distinctive spur. Delphinium is far more common but a discerning eye will often find Monkshood growing with Delphinium. The pictured plants are just over two feet tall and will grow another foot or two. Notice the characteristic deeply incised leaves of Monkshood.

Cultivation:
Thrives in most soils and in the light shade of trees. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist soil in sun or semi-shade. Prefers a calcareous soil. Grows well in open woodlands. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes. Closely related to A. fischeri and part of that species according to some botanists. A very variable plant, there is also a sub-species (A. columbianum viviparum) that produces bulbils in the leaf axils.

Propagation:
Seed – best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate. 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. 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. One to several small daughter tubers are produced at the first few nodes above the parent tuber, usually below ground, in a small percentage of the plants in bulbiferous and nonbulbiferous populations. These can be removed and potted up to produce new plants. Bulbils are produced in the leaf axils of sub-species viviparum[270]. These are an effective means of vegetative reproduction. They fall to the ground late in the season and sprout vigorously, giving rise to new plants.

Medicinal Actions & Uses
Nervine; Sedative.

The drug ‘aconite’ can be obtained from the root of this plant. It is used as a heart and nerve sedative. This is a very poisonous plant and should only be used with extreme caution and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

Other Uses
Parasiticide.
The seed is used as a parasiticide.

Resources:
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Aconitum+columbianum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aconitum_columbianum
http://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/Blue%20Purple%20Enlarged%20Photo%20Pages/aconitum%20columbianum.htm
http://www.wnmu.edu/academic/nspages2/gilaflora/aconitum_columbianum.html