Aconitum delphinifolium
Family: Ranunculaceae
What it is like
Aconitum delphinifolium is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is in flower from June to August. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.2
Where it is found
Meadows, along creeks, thickets, woods, rocky slopes, and alpine tundra from sea level to altitudes of 1700 metres.
North-western N. America - British Columbia to Alaska and west to northern Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
The Salishan used Aconitum delphiniifolium for unspecified medicinal purposes.
Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in
Other
Rating:
The seed is used as a parasiticide.
Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.
Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.
How it is grown
Thrives in most soils and in the light shade of trees. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist soil in sun or semi-shade. Prefers a calcareous soil. Grows well in open woodlands. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes. Closely related to A. napellus and part of that species according to some botanists.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Division - best done in spring but it can also be done in autumn. Another report says that division is best carried out in the autumn or late winter because the plants come into growth very early in the year.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The whole plant is highly toxic - simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people.