MONKSHOOD PLANT

Aconitum Napellus
The garden plant, Aconitum Napellus commonly named 'Monkshood' is one of the most toxic plants known to man. In Europe the poison, that was collected from this plant was used to kill Wolves and mad dogs hence its other name "Wolfsbane" or "Dogsbane"




Monkshood is a genus of over 250 species of Aconitum that belong to the Buttercup - Ranunculaceæ family of plants.







Monkshood has actually been grown in gardens, conservatories and greenhouses for many hundreds of years and the very toxic nature of the plant has been written about as early as the sixteenth century but was known about much much longer, how about Ancient Rome for example.



Below is a typical growth of a species of Monkshood called Aconitum Vulparia , distinguished by its bright yellow monkshood petals.











All parts of the Monkshood plant are poisonous and it must be handled with care. You should wear gloves and wash your hands after touching it as even a mild dose of its poison can cause a serious allergic reaction that can render the 'victim' in need of medical treatment.



You don't have to take in the poison by mouth, it can be absorbed through the skin. Be it the stem, the sap, the petals or the roots, this plant is a killer if not given all due care and respect. Many people through the ages have been killed either accidentally or even on purpose by this plant...the assassins plant of choice !







The poison in Monkshood is called aconitine and is classed as an Alkaloid toxin, one of the deadliest and most formidable poisonous substances known to man and the symptoms of being seriously poisoned are burning sensations inside the mouth, dizziness, headaches and vomiting.



If larger quantities of the poison are ingested then breathing will become difficult followed shortly by paralysis and convulsions leading to asphyxiation due to gross blood circuit failure, the victim writhes in agony his spasms however rapidly decrease as coma takes hold leading to imminent death.



Normally the whole time period from ingesting to death depending on the quantity of toxin absorption is about an hour, its a slow and painful death similar to strychnine poisoning. However most instances of contact from this plants foliage are just to touch the petals and this will result in irritation, slight dizziness and a little nausea, death only really happens if the plant is eaten.







Recently though a young Canadian Actor Andre Noble died on July 30, 2004 when it is believed that he mistook Monkshood for an edible flower whilst out on a camping trip, he died shortly after.



It was reported by the UK Newspaper ' the Sunday Mirror ' that Pakistan Cricket coach Bob Woolmer was poisoned to death during the 2007 Cricket World Cup and we can assume it was with aconite, derived from Monkshood . However, later evidence suggested that he died of natural causes.



I just hope that the Police forensic department and indeed medical profession know that (as far as my research has uncovered ) aconite poisoning leaves no trace in the blood and the victim resembles one who has died of asphyxia. This is one of the main reasons why Monkshood is the perfect murder weapon.







If large amounts of water, say three to five pints for the average adult is drank relatively quickly after ingestion of the toxins then recovery is possible in the early stages. People have survived and death is not a common occurrence with Monkshood as only small amounts of the poison are usually ingested.







This plant is not all that common and does not grow in abundance in every field that you go into for that camping trip or picnic. The plant is normally specially cultured for the keen gardener at garden centers to be bought specifically for the gardeners allotment, greenhouse or to add some color to that special landscaped area, an area where human contact with it would be difficult.










Although extremely poisonous and maybe the most toxic plant in the World the Monkshood is also one of the most beautiful plants. The plant has a such a wonderful shaped blossom in that it perfectly mimics the shape of a monks hood and hence derives its name.



Below is a excellent side view of the Monkshoods blossom with dark veins giving an extra illustration of the petals texture.







It must be said though that the plant has also been called by other pseudonyms over time including Soldiers Helmet, Friars cap and Old Wife's Hood. The old name it once had of "Witchbane" was due to old folklore that suggested that Witch's coated their broomsticks with the plants toxins to enable them to fly.







In times gone by and in some instances even today, Monkshood is the poison that murderers and assassins choose to do their deadly work. For example the Roman Emperor I Claudius was assassinated by his own doctor who slipped him a fatal amount of Monkshood.



At one time the Roman Emperor, Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus, commonly known as Trajan who was born in A.D 53 actually banned the cultivation of this plant under the penalty of death, it has been suggested that any guilty party was killed by the poison of their own plant. Even today it is still illegal in some countries to cultivate this plant unless the grower has some form of certification.








Below, innocent enough looking but to caress its tender leaves or to moleste its colorful blossom could lead to death as payback.







Monkshood is a perennial plant meaning that its present all seasons of the year, it grows to about four or five feet high and the course textured leaves don't grow outward very much from the stem of the plant but hug rather closely to it. Monkshood is quite a tall plant that grows from three to five feet tall. The foliage upon it are profoundly divided, normally into five parts and each of those parts is then divided again into three parts.







The basic and most common colors of the blossom are purple to dark blue. Monkshood although rare is can be found in woodlands and meadows The stem of the Monkshood is slender but quite strong at the same time.



The blossoms color can actually vary quite a lot from yellow, pink, white, bright violet to a deep luscious blue depending on the exact genus. Also all shades of the mentioned colors are to be found in the many varieties of Monkshood.







Growing Monkshood.







Monkshood can grow for between 3 and 10 years in moist soil and can survive cold winters quite well at about -20 Fahrenheit. The plant grows well in full sunlight, but likes some shade, so do not plant out in open spaces on its own.



The soil although damp should not be waterlogged and should have a consistency of high organic material. Plant fresh seeds early enough during 'fall' to let the seeds acclimatize before the ground frost starts to set in on those cold mornings.



The seeds should be set just under the surface and then left to their own devices as Monkshood does not like to be disturbed when in growth and will not fair well if transplanted and pruning should be done with economy in mind.



So just plant and forget, the Monkshood is a very stalwart plant and will grow easily without much fuss, just ensure that the soil is kept damp.



Monkshood is also a good topic for artists to emulate as the blooms are so beautifully and extraordinarily shaped.







It is stressed again here to always ensure that you wash your hands after handling Monkshood, if wearing gloves then you must still wash your hands as when your remove the gloves there can still be traces of toxins present. It is not advised to grow Monkshood in places where children or pets are present, if you do have children around then do not cultivate this plant