Aconitum koreanum - Korean Monk's Hood

Family:	Ranunculaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.5
Synonyms:	A. komarovii. Steinb.
Range:	E. Asia - Korea.

Aconitum koreanum (Korean Monk's Hood) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.5m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
The flowers from this plant are and they are pollinated by Bees

Soil Information

Korean Monk's Hood will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Korean Monk's Hood prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Korean Monk's Hood can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Sparse shrub thickets, dry shortgrass meadows and on argillaceous and stony mountain slopes[74].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by the native range of the plant it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Thrives in most soils and in the light shade of trees[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist soil in sun or semi-shade[200]. Prefers a calcareous soil. Grows well in open woodlands[1, 4]. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer[233]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes[54].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Young leaves - cooked[177]. This report should be treated with great distrust due to the poisonous nature of the genus.

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
The root is used in Korea to treat chills in the legs and arms and articular pain[279]. The root contains a number of highly toxic alkaloids that can be carditoxic, causing hypotension and arrhythmia, unless they are first allowed to degrade, usually by drying the plant[279]. The root has been shown to be analgesic, cardiac tonic, uterine stimulant[279].

• Analgesic - Relieves pain.
• Cardiotonic - A tonic for the heart.
• Uterine tonic - A tonic for the uterus. See also oxytoxic.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[111]. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate[133]. 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[1, 111]. 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[233].

Known Hazards

The whole plant is highly toxic - simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people[1].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the USSR.
Komarov. V. L.
Author: Komarov. V. L.
Rating:
Publisher : An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.
Date of Publication : 1968

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