Monkshood- Aconitum

Above: Monkshood on hill off of bike path behind Fox Avenue in Madison, Wisconsin on October 28, 2022.

Monkshood - Aconitum (Rare/Threatened)

NOTE: The photos on this page were taken of Monkshood growing on a slope along a bike path. They are exclusive to two yards and were most probably planted by the owners. The two locations are about 100 yards apart. Most of these plants are 3' - 5' in height. Many have fallen over due to the weight of the flowers. I cannot really identify what variety of Monkshood these images represent. However, ALL PARTS of any Monkshood variety are HIGHLY TOXIC.

Northern Monkshood is a threatened plant in Wisconsin (and Federally) and is usually only found in Southwesten Wisconsin (Dane County is not included). It likes moist ledges and cliff bases, and also partially shaded sandstone cliffs.

Whereas, Garden aconite (Aconitum napellus) grows in Dane County, the leaves of Aconitum napellus are very distinctive from the leaves in the plant photos on this page. I do not believe that any of the photos on this page are of Garden Aconite. Garden Aconite was introduced and rarely escapes. Also know as Venus' chariot.

According to the Allen Centennial Garden (University of Wisconsin-Madison) website page on Azure Monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii), the leaves of Azure Monkshood are glossy green for most of growing season and can grow from 2 to 4 feet in height and blooms from September - October. This description (of very glossy leaves and being a late bloomer) is very close to the plants in one of the yards (see photos on sidebar). Given the late blooming (October to Early November), I believe that many of the plant images on this website page are hybrid of Azure Monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii'). See image on Wikipedia of from a Madison, Wisconsin botanist of Aconitum carmichaelii. This is an introduced plant.

Monkshood likes to grow on moist, well drained hillsides and cliffs.

Other names: Wolfsbane, Wolf's Bane, Aconite, Helmet Flower, Queen of Poisons, Devil's Helmet.

Above: Monkshood leaf. Image taken on October 28, 2022.

Above: Backside of a Monkshood leaf. Image taken on October 28, 2022.

For more information on Monkshood visit Wikipedia.

Or, for information on Columbian Monkshood (Aconitum columbianum) visit the: Wisconsin State Herbarium.

Or, for information on Northern Monkshood (Aconitum noveboracense) visit the: Wisconsin DNR Website.

Or, for information on Garden Aconite (Aconitum napellus) visit the: Wisconsin State Herbarium.

Or, for information on Azure Monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii) visit : Allen Centennial Garden.

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