Native Monkshood

[Wild-Woman]

I never seen this flower and one day I would like to. Anyone know where and when? Pretty but deadly though!

[Dorts]

Monk's-hood - Aconitum napellus is an uncommon native and only thought to be truly wild beside shady streams in SW England and SW Wales.
But it is widely, though sparsely scattered around the country in old gardens and as a garden escape. Unfortunately it is uncommon in N Kent, but I'm sure someone will know of it in that part of the country.
It is in flower now up here where it grows 'wild' in our old woodland garden.

I do hope you find it as it's a great plant.
Dorts.

[Wild-Woman]

Thanks Dorts. It certainly looks like its poisoning potential is quite something. Such a handsome plant though and I see its also known as Wolf-bane because it was used to poison wolves!

[earthdragon64]

It grows in a few places quite local to me, all fairly close to habitation. I even saw one spike that seemed to be whitish in colour in amongst the normal blue. It was past its best though, but I'll look in the same area next year to see if it comes up again.

If you're coming up here at the right time of year, let me know and I can let you know some of the places I've seen it.

Regards, Audrey.

[Hobjob]

I was talking to a Shropshire botanist about these last week-end, who did his MsC on Monkshood. I've forgotten the exact figures but it was roughly of the eighty sites he visited about 6 were native the rest excapes / hybrids.

You tell the difference by the height of the helmet, but damned if I can remember which one has the higher hat - damned ageing.

Originally Posted by Dorts

Monk's-hood - Aconitum napellus is an uncommon native and only thought to be truly wild beside shady streams in SW England and SW Wales.
But it is widely, though sparsely scattered around the country in old gardens and as a garden escape. Unfortunately it is uncommon in N Kent, but I'm sure someone will know of it in that part of the country.
It is in flower now up here where it grows 'wild' in our old woodland garden.

I do hope you find it as it's a great plant.
Dorts.

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by earthdragon64

It grows in a few places quite local to me, all fairly close to habitation. I even saw one spike that seemed to be whitish in colour in amongst the normal blue. It was past its best though, but I'll look in the same area next year to see if it comes up again.

If you're coming up here at the right time of year, let me know and I can let you know some of the places I've seen it.

Regards, Audrey.

Thanks Audrey I'll certainly do that!

[Dorts]

For anyone interested there is all the info you need on the British native Monk’s-hood - Aconitum napellus ssp. napellus here.

Aconitum napellus | BSBI Species Accounts

Dorts.