napellus, a blue-flowering European native commonly grown as an ornamental lamarckii, or Northern wolf’s bane, is prized in European gardens for its yellow flowers heterophyllum, or astish, is an important component in Ayurvedic medicine henryii grows to almost 5 feet tall and is cultivated for its deep violet-blue blooms fischerii is cultivated for its showy purple flowers columbianum is native to North America and known as Columbian or western monkshood carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’ blooms later than most species, producing purple blossoms through fall carmichaelii, an extremely toxic, east Asian native with award-winning cultivars that include ‘Arendsii’ and ‘Kelmscott’ ‘Bressingham Spire’ is a compact cultivar that reaches about 3 feet tall anthora, a yellow-blooming species that grows in mountainous regions of Asia and Europe There are thought to be more than 250 species and multiple cultivars of Acontium, including : The plants contain aconitine, an alkaloid that, when ingested, can cause heart arrhythmia, numbness, gastrointestinal issues and respiratory distress. Unfortunately, the dosage is difficult to control, leading to toxic doses. Many incidents are related to the plants’ use as a therapeutic element in herbal medicine. In China and other parts of Asia, most poisonings come from A. napellus, which is grown as an ornamental. In North America and Europe, most poisoning incidents come from ingestion of A. Wolf’s Bane Flower ToxicityĪll parts of wolf bane are toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and other animals. The ancient Chinese used aconite to poison arrows and in regions of Europe and North America, it was used to kill wolves and other carnivores.

It’s believed to be one of the first poisons ever used in ancient Greece and Rome. Many cultures made poison from the plants, used for hunting, war, and political assassinations. lycotonum in Lapland, thought to be the first attempt at classifying the genus.Īconitum has long figured in history, from Russia to China, India to Japan, and across Europe. Hundreds of species of aconite, many called wolf’s bane, grow across the Northern Hemisphere. A gift of wolf’s bane flowers was seen as a symbol to the recipient to take care as danger lies ahead.

The flower’s symbolism meant that it was often used as a warning. In the language of flowers, wolf’s bane signifies caution, treachery, and misanthropy. Wolf’s Bane (Aconitum) Flower Meaning – The Essentials Wolf’s Bane Flowers in Art, Literature, and Popular Culture.Wolf’s Bane Flower Symbolism in Ancient Times.Wolf’s Bane Flower Colors and Their Meaning.The Meaning, Symbolism, and Cultural Significance of Wolf’s Bane Flowers.When are Wolf’s Bane Flowers in Season?.What Regions are Wolf’s Bane Flowers Native To?.History & Origins of Wolf’s Bane Flowers.Botanical Characteristics, Colors, Fragrances.Wolf’s Bane (Aconitum) Flower Meaning – The Essentials.

Wolfsbane flower