The active principle of Aconitum napellus is the alkaloid aconitine, first examined by P.L. Please check for inaccuracies, and modify and cite sources as needed. Some information in this article or section has not been verified and may not be reliable. They are also said to kill werewolves if they wear, smell, or eat aconite.Ĭanadian film actor Andre Noble died of aconitine poisoning on July 30, 2004 after accidentally ingesting it.Īconite have also been known under names such as wolfsbane, leopard's bane, women's bane, Devil's helmet or blue rocket. However, Aconite is a deadly poison and should NOT be eaten. In legends, Aconite was also said to make a person into a werewolf if it is worn, smelled, or eaten. They are easily propagated by divisions of the root or by seeds care should be taken not to leave pieces of the root where livestock might eat them, owing to their poisonous character.Īconite has been ascribed with supernatural powers relating to werewolves and other lycanthropes, either to repel them, relating to aconite's use in poisoning wolves and other animals, or in some way induce their lycanthropic condition, as aconite was often an important ingredient in witches' magic ointments. They thrive well in any ordinary garden soil, and will grow beneath the shade of trees. As garden plants the aconites are very ornamental, hardy perennials. Aconitum lycoctonum (Alpine wolfsbane), is a yellow-flowered species common in the Alps of Switzerland. Many species of Aconitum are cultivated in gardens, having either blue or yellow flowers. The root of Aconitum luridum, of the Himalaya, is said to be as virulent as that of A. Aconitum palmatum yields another of the bikh poisons. It contains large quantities of the alkaloid pseudaconitine, which is a deadly poison. The roots of Aconitum ferox supply the Indian ( Nepal ) poison called bikh, bish, or nabee. This plant is used as a food plant by some Lepidoptera species including Dot Moth, The Engrailed, Mouse Moth, Wormwood Pug, and Yellow-tail. When touched to one's lip, the juice of the aconite root produces a feeling of numbness and tingling. The crown or upper portion of the root gives rise to new plants. It has a short underground stem, from which dark-colored tapering roots descend. Its roots have occasionally been mistaken for horseradish. The most common plant in this genus, Aconitum napellus (the Common Monkshood), is a doubtful native of Great Britain, and is of therapeutic and toxicological importance. The 3–5 carpels are partially fused at the base. The other petals are small or lack completely. ![]() They have a hollow spur at their apex, containing the nectar. They are placed under the hood of the calyx and are supported on long stalks. There are 2–10 petals, in the form of nectaries. They are distinguishable 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. These are handsome plants, the tall, erect stem being crowned by racemes of large and eye-catching blue, purple, white, yellow or pink zygomorphic flowers with numerous stamens. The leaves have a spiral or alternate arrangement. ![]() Each segment again is 3-lobed with coarse sharp teeth. ![]() They are palmate or deeply palmately lobed with 5–7 segments. These herbaceous perennials are chiefly natives of the mountainous parts of the northern hemisphere, growing in damp soils on mountain meadows. Aconitum (known as aconite, monkshood, or wolfsbane) is a genus of flowering plant belonging to the buttercup family ( Ranunculaceae ).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |