Aconitum septentrionale
Koelle
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(c) Анна Митрошенкова, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Анна Митрошенкова
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Анна Митрошенкова, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Анна Митрошенкова
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(c) John Magne Grindeland, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by John Magne Grindeland
Summary
Aconitum septentrionale is a hardy perennial with flowers from May to July that attract bees. It adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils across mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH ranges. The plant tolerates semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil conditions.
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
The root can be eaten boiled, though this report should be treated with great caution given the toxic nature of the genus. Young leaves have been used as a potherb. One report states the plant is not poisonous, but this must be treated with extreme caution.
Traditional Uses
Caution: The plant is poisonous. It has been reported that the leaves and roots are eaten after cooking.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known
Known Hazards
The whole plant is highly toxic - simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It grows in beech forests at 1,700 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Asia, Britain, China, Europe, France, Germany, Italy, Mediterranean, Mongolia, Netherlands, Russia, Siberia, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye,
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. Plants are hardy to about -25°c. Grows well in open woodlands. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer. This species is no more than part of A. lycoctonum according to some botanists. We are keeping it separate because of the report that, unlike most members of the genus, this species is not poisonous. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes.
Propagation
Sow seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Seed can be stratified and sown in spring, but germination will be slow. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once large enough to handle, grow on in a cold frame through their first winter, and plant out in late spring or early summer. Division is best done in spring, though autumn works too. Some sources recommend autumn or late winter for dividing, as plants come into growth very early in the year.
Other Uses
The plant has insecticidal properties.
Notes
There are about 100 Aconitum species.
Synonyms
References (3)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Spic. observ. Aconit. 22. 1787
- Urgamal, M., Oyuntsetseg, B., Nyambayar, D. & Dulamsuren, Ch. 2014. Conspectus of the vascular plants of Mongolia. (Editors: Sanchir, Ch. & Jamsran, Ts.). Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. “Admon“ Press. 334pp. (p. 79-90).
