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Aconitum columbianum (Columbian monkshood)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Aconitum columbianum Nutt.

Columbian monkshood

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

USDA Symbol: acco4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A usually tall, leafy plant with bilaterally symmetrical, hood-like, blue or blue-violet flowers in a showy raceme. The stems of this tuberous perennial are usually erect, stout and 2-6 ft. tall, but sometimes are weak and reclining. The lower leaves are palmately lobed, becoming smaller upward. Showy flowers in a lax spike are purplish-blue and hooded. Flowering starts at the bottom of the spike and progresses upward.

A European species of Monkshood (A. napellus), is the celebrated wolfbane of werewolf lore.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , IA , ID , MT , NM , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WY
Native Distribution: AK to n. CA, w. to the Rockies; also Black Hills
Native Habitat: Moist woods; stream banks; wet thickets
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist, rich soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Flowers attract bumblebees, hawkmoths and hummingbirds.
Warning: Plants of the genus Aconitum are poisonous to humans and animals if ingested. Roots, young leaves, and seeds are said to be especially toxic. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Plant fresh seeds immediately. New offset tubers can be divided in the spring. Bulbils, produced in leaf notches, should be collected and planted before they fall to the ground.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Two months of moist stratification at 40 degrees may enhance germination but is not necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1994 VOL. 11, NO.3 - Preparation for Spring Gardening, Director\'s Report, How the Length of Day and ...

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Aconitum columbianum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Aconitum columbianum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Aconitum columbianum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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