ACONITUM 



(From akoniton, the Greek name for the plant) 

 Ranunculaceie 



l8. Aconitum Napellus {J. pyramiddle; A. tauricum) 



English Names: Aconite, Monk's hood, Helmet flower, Wolf's bane, Friar's 

 cap, Friar's cowl, Cuckoo's cap, Face in hood, Jacob's chariot, Blue rocket. 



EUROPE, ASIA, AND N. AMERICA AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 



AN ORNAMENTAL plant with large deep purple flowers of a curi- 

 1\. ous helmet shape, growing in loose spikes on erect stems three to five 

 feet high. Foliage finely divided, dark and handsome; persistent. Ex- 

 cellent for the herbaceous 

 border or for naturalizing 

 against shrubbery, prefer- 

 ably with light foliage;but 

 should never be planted 

 too near the kitchen gar- 

 den or children's garden, 

 as the root (a globular 

 tuber), leaves, and flowers 

 are highly poisonous. 

 Good also for cutting. 



In some localities the 

 Aconite grows to a height 

 of seven or more feet 

 and has to be staked or 

 treated as a vine; in 

 others it barely attains a 

 height of three feet, 



A perennial which, 

 though sometimes sbw 

 in becoming established, 

 is perfectly hardy when 

 once it has a firm footing. 

 Will grow in any garden 

 soil, but a rich moist soil 

 is preferable. Thrives in 

 open sun, but the flowers 

 will last longer in shady places. Propagate by division. 



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