Aconitum koreanum

Raymond

Ranunculaceae Edible: Leaves Potential hazards — see below

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Summary

A perennial reaching 1.5 m tall, bee-pollinated. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline pH. Accommodates semi-shade or full sun conditions and prefers moist soil.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

Edible Uses

Young leaves can be eaten cooked, though this should be treated with considerable distrust given the poisonous nature of this genus.

Traditional Uses

Caution: This plant is poisonous. It has been reported that the leaves are eaten cooked.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The root is used in Korea to treat chills in the arms and legs and articular pain. It contains highly toxic alkaloids that are cardiotoxic — capable of causing hypotension and arrhythmia — unless first allowed to degrade, typically through drying. The root has been shown to be analgesic, a cardiac tonic, and a uterine stimulant.

Known Hazards

Root contains highly toxic alkaloids that can cause cardiac toxicity with hypotension and arrhythmia unless properly dried to allow alkaloid degradation.

Distribution

It grows in moist soils with light shade.

Where It Grows

Asia, Korea,

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. 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

Sow seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame for best results. Seed can be stratified and sown in spring, but germination will be slow. Prick seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle, and grow on in a cold frame through their first winter before planting out in late spring or early summer. Division is best done in spring, though autumn works too. Some sources recommend autumn or late winter division, as the plants come into growth very early in the year.