Aconitum violaceum -
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Habit: | Perennial |
| Synonyms: | |
| Range: | E. Asia - Himalayas. |
Aconitum violaceum will flower in February to April. The flowers from this plant are and they are pollinated by Bees
Soil Information
Aconitum violaceum 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
Aconitum violaceum prefers moist soils
Ideal Planting Locations
Aconitum violaceum can grow in semi or areas with no shade.Shrubberies and open slopes, 3600 - 4800m from Pakistan to C. Nepal[51].
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. It is a polymorphic species[51]. 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 disclaimerEdible Rating: 1/5
Root - cooked[177]. It is eaten as a pleasant tonic[240]. These reports should be treated with great distrust due to the poisonous nature of the genus[K].
- Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicinal Uses*
* See disclaimerMedicinal Rating: 1/5
The entire plant is used in Tibetan medicine, it is said to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency[241]. Antidote, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge, it is used in the treatment of snake and scorpion bites, contagious infections and inflammation of the intestines[241].
- Antidote - Counters poisoning.
- Antiinflammatory - Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
- Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
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]. Another report suggests that the root of this species might not be toxic[240].Other Uses
None knownCultivars
no recorded cultivarsReferences
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956F. Chittendon.
Author: F. Chittendon.
Rating:
Publisher : Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
Date of Publication : 1951
Flowers of the Himalayas.
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Author: Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Rating:
Publisher : A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.
Date of Publication : 1984
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