Wolfsbane (Aconitum vulparia, Uebers. Aconitum: 70 (1819))

Family: Ranunculaceae

Author: Rchb.

Bibliography: Uebers. Aconitum: 70 (1819)

Year: 1819

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Aconitum

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: W. & S. Europe

Description

Wolfsbane, scientifically known as Aconitum vulparia, is a strikingly beautiful but highly toxic plant that belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. This perennial herb is native to Western and Southern Europe, where it has been both revered and feared due to its potent properties.

The plant is renowned for its tall spikes of hooded flowers, which are often a pale yellow or cream color. These distinctive blossoms make it a popular but cautious choice for ornamental gardening, where awareness of its toxic nature is paramount. Wolfsbane possesses deeply lobed leaves that add to its aesthetic appeal, and it typically blooms from mid to late summer, gracing gardens and wild landscapes during these warmer months.

Historically, Aconitum vulparia has been steeped in folklore and used in traditional medicine, though such uses have largely fallen out of favor due to modern understandings of its toxicity. All parts of Wolfsbane—particularly its roots and seeds—contain potent alkaloids that can cause severe poisoning if ingested, even in small quantities. Symptoms of exposure may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, cardiac issues and respiratory distress.

The plant’s lethal reputation is reflected in its common name, Wolfsbane, which hints at its historical application in hunting and warfare. It was reputedly used as a poison for arrows and bait to kill wolves and other predators, underscoring the plant’s dangerous potency.

First scientifically described by Rchb. in 1819 in the “Uebers. Aconitum,” Aconitum vulparia has been a subject of considerable botanical interest. Botanists and horticulturists alike study Wolfsbane not only for its toxic characteristics but also for its complex alkaloid chemistry and its potential uses in pharmacology, albeit with significant cautions.

Despite its dangers, Wolfsbane occupies an intriguing niche in the botanical world. Its haunting beauty and menacing properties serve as a reminder of the fine line between nature’s wonder and its potential peril. Gardeners who choose to cultivate this plant must do so with utmost respect and care, ensuring it is kept away from children and pets to prevent accidental poisoning.

Common Names

En: Wolfsbane, Wolf’s-bane
Nl: Gele monnikskap
Fr: Aconit tue-loup, Cape-de-moine, Coqueluchon jaune, Étrangle-loup, Herbe au loup
De: Wolfswurz-Eisenhut, Gelber Eisenhut, Wolfs-Eisenhut, Wolfseisenhut
It: Aconito giallo, Luparia, Strozzalupo
Pl: Tojad lisi

Synonyms

• Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. lasianthum ((Rchb.) Graebn. & P.Graebn.)
• Aconitum pauciflorum (Host)
• Aconitum beckianum (Gáyer)
• Aconitum gracilescens (Gáyer)
• Aconitum vulparia f. monanense ((F.W.Schmidt ex Rchb.) Gáyer)
• Aconitum lasiostomum f. velutinum (Rchb.)
• Aconitum vulparia f. myoctonum ((Rchb.) Gáyer)
• Aconitum vulparia subsp. pauciflorum ((Host) Gáyer)
• Aconitum lycoctonum var. penninum (Ser.)
• Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. penninum ((Ser.) Graebn. & P.Graebn.)
• Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. vulparia ((Rchb.) Ces.)
• Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. puberulum ((Ser.) Graebn. & P.Graebn.)
• Aconitum lycoctonum var. thalianum (Wallr.)
• Aconitum lycoctonum var. puberulum (Ser.)
• Lycoctonum paishanense (Nakai)
• Aconitum penninum ((Ser.) Gáyer)
• Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. thalianum ((Wallr.) Graebn. & P.Graebn.)
• Aconitum vulparia var. thalianum ((Wallr.) P.Fourn.)
• Aconitum vulparia var. puberulum ((Ser.) P.Fourn.)
• Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. pauciflorum ((Host) Graebn. & P.Graebn.)
• Aconitum vulparia subsp. penninum ((Ser.) Gáyer)
• Aconitum vulparia var. gracilescens ((Gáyer) P.Fourn.)
• Aconitum tragoctonum (Rchb.)
• Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. croaticum ((Degen & Gáyer) Graebn. & P.Graebn.)
• Aconitum vulparia subsp. croaticum ((Degen & Gáyer) Hayek)
• Aconitum lycoctonum var. vulparia ((Rchb.) Regel)
• Aconitum vulparia subsp. thalianum ((Wallr.) Gáyer)
• Aconitum vulparia f. praecox ((A.Kern.) Gáyer)
• Aconitum velutinum ((Rchb.) Grinţ.)
• Aconitum vulparia var. tragoctonum (Rchb.)
• Aconitum vulparia var. penninum ((Ser.) P.Fourn.)
• Aconitum velebiticum (Degen ex Gáyer)
• Aconitum vulparia f. adenocarpum (Gáyer)
• Aconitum thalianum ((Wallr.) Gáyer)
• Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. gracilescens ((Gáyer) Graebn. & P.Graebn.)
• Aconitum vulparia subsp. platanifolium ((Degen & Gáyer) Gáyer)
• Aconitum croaticum (Degen & Gáyer)
• Aconitum puberulum ((Ser.) Gáyer)
• Aconitum vulparia f. adenosepalum (Gáyer)
• Aconitum vulparia f. beckianum (Gáyer)

Distribution

• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Italy (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jun 4, 2020 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2022 by dn pn (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2019 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2020 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2020 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 15, 2020 by Natalia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2020 by jolijn jolijn (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2020 by Natalia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2020 by Baieri Roberto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2022 by Sara (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 17, 2020 by Eduard (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:707955-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Aconitum vulparia Rchb.)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3033682)

Specifications

Growth