Aconitum lycoctonum vulparia - Wolfbane

Family:	Ranunculaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	0.6
Synonyms:	A. vulparia. Reichenb.
Range:	Europe to Asia

Aconitum lycoctonum vulparia (Wolfbane) 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.
Wolfbane will flower in December to February. the seeds ripen from January to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees

Soil Information

Wolfbane 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
Wolfbane prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Wolfbane can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Woods and bushy places in damp shady places.

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]. 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]. An aggregate species which is divided by some botanists into many species.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Some reports suggest the root is edible if cooked[2, 105], but these should be treated with extreme caution due to the highly toxic nature of the plant[K].

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The root is analgesic, anodyne, diaphoretic, diuretic, irritant, sedative[4, 7, 9, 165]. This is a very poisonous plant and should only be used with extreme caution and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

• Analgesic - Relieves pain.
• Anodyne - Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
• Diaphoretic - Induces perspiration.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Irritant - Causes irritation or abnormal sensitivity in living tissue.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

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, 13, 65].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flowers of Greece and the Balkans.
Polunin. O.
Author: Polunin. O.
Rating:
Publisher : A good pocket flora, it also lists quite a few plant uses.
Date of Publication : 1980

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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