Image: http://www.ontariowildflower.com/yukon_monkshood_keno.htm
Aconitum delphinifolium DC. is native to Alaska and is commonly referred to as larkspurleaf monkshood, or just monkshood. I became interested in monkshood because it has a rich history dating back to Greek mythology. All parts of the plant contain the alkaloid aconitine which is extremely toxic. In Greek mythology it was said that Aconitum grew on the hill of Aconitus, and it became poisonous after Cerberus, the multi-headed guard dog of Hades, fought with Hercules and its saliva fell on the plant (Kowalchik, et al). From that point on, Aconitum was a popular poison to use in hunting and warfare. The early Aleut whalers in Alaska used A. delphinifolium to prepare a poison they used on the end of their spears, reducing the effort needed to harvest the whale (Heizer). It was also used in medicine as an anesthetic, and is still used today by some as a topical pain reliever.
Monkshood can grow up to 3 feet tall, but often depends on neighboring plants for support to stay upright. Due to its toxicity it is mostly left alone by larger herbivores, however, there are some insects that depend on it as a food source. Some bumble bees use it exclusively as a food source, and in return provide pollination (Boland).
Image: http://analogicalplanet.com/Pages/ContentPages/Vascular%20plants2/AconitumDelphinifolium.html
| Rank | Scientific Name and Common Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae – Plants |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta – Vascular plants |
| Superdivision | Spermatophyta – Seed plants |
| Division | Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants |
| Class | Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Ranunculales |
| Family | Ranunculaceae – Buttercup family |
| Genus | Aconitum L. – monkshood |
| Species | Aconitum delphiniifolium DC. – larkspurleaf monkshood |
There are over 250 species in the Aconitum Genus, with A. delphinifolium found solely in the Northwestern part of North America. The leaves of the plant look quite similar to the common delphinium (larkspur), which is where it got its name. A. dephilnifolium was named by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle (USDA). It gets its common name monkshood due to the fact that a sepal on the flower resembles the old fashion hoods worn by monks.
Image: http://www.flora.dempstercountry.org/0.Site.Folder/Species.Program/Species2.php?species_id=Aco.delphi
References
Boland, Todd. "Monkshood-A Deadly Beauty." Mun.ca. Memorial University, n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2014. <http://www.mun.ca/botgarden/gardening/gardennl/Monkshood_-_A_Deadly_Beauty.pdf>.
CYSIP. "Aconitum Delphinifolium : Northern Monkshood." Flora.dempstercountry.org. Central Yukon Species Inventory Project, n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2014. <http://www.flora.dempstercountry.org/0.Site.Folder/Species.Program/Species2.php?species_id=Aco.delphi>.
Heizer, Robert F. "Pacific Eskimo Invention in Whale Hunting." Escholarship.org. University of California, n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2014. <http://escholarship.org/uc/item/9780c95n#page-3>.
Kowalchik, Claire, William H. Hylton, and Anna Carr. "Aconite." Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale, 1987. 1-2. Google Books. Web. 23 Jan. 2014. <http://books.google.com/books?id=htGD3Y7WNxwC&pg=PA1&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=4#v=onepage&q&f=false>.
USDA. "Plants Profile for Aconitum Delphiniifolium (larkspurleaf Monkshood)." Plants.usda.gov. USDA, n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2014. <http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ACDE2>.
Fantastic introduction to the plant! It is not often that one can link Greek mythology and Aleut whalers….
ReplyDeleteI was curious about the bumble beese that use it as a food source: what component(s) do they use? Often highly specialized pollinators also receive specialized rewards.