Aconitum lycoctonum - Wolfsbane

Family:	Ranunculaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	0.6
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe to W. Asia.

Aconitum lycoctonum (Wolfsbane) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m and a width of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 3and is vunerable to frost.
Wolfsbane will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are and they are pollinated by Bees

Soil Information

Wolfsbane 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
Wolfsbane prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Wolfsbane can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Not known

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade

Cultivation Details

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]. If the flower stems are removed after flowering the plant will normally flower again later in the season[200]. 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]. A polymorphic species[1]. The nomenclature is very confused for this species, A. lycoctonum. L. is treated as A. septentrionale by many botanists whilst A. lycoctonum. Auct. is A. vulparia[50].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
There is a report that this root has been boiled and used for food in Lapland[2]. However, this is a very poisonous plant and such a use is very inadvisable[K].

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The root is alterative, anaesthetic, antiarthritic, antitussive, deobstruent, diaphoretic, diuretic, sedative and stimulant[178]. This is a very poisonous plant and should only be used with extreme caution and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

• Alterative - Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.
• Anaesthetic - Numbs the feeling in a local or general area of the body.
• Antiarthritic - Treats arthritis.
• Antitussive - Prevents or relieves coughing.
• Deobstruent - Clears obstructions from the natural ducts of the body.
• Diaphoretic - Induces perspiration.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
• Stimulant - Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

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, 200].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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