Date: XXXXXXXX 2010. Location: XXXXXXXXX(map)
| Classification Hierarchy | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Subkingdom | Tracheophyta |
| Superdivision | Spermatophyta |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Ranunculales |
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus | Aconitum |
| Species | Aconitum noveboracense |
Date: XXXXXXXX 2010. Location: XXXXXXXXX(map)
USDA Plant Profile Flora of N. America
Scientific Name: Aconitum noveboracense [syn. A. columbianum]
Common Name: Northern Blue Monkshood, Wolfsbane
Origin: Native
Notes: Threatened A. noveboracense is found along moist and cool algific talus slopes some of which, though rare, are found in N.E. Iowa. The FNA regards A. noveboracense as synonomous with A. columbianum subspecies columbianum which lacks bulbils in the leaf axils. A second subspecies (A. columbianum ssp. viviparum) has conspicuous bulbils in the leaf axils and is widely distributed in states west of Iowa.
Aconitum spp. contain several compounds of interest to phytochemists and toxicologists. Among these is a dangerous toxin (aconitine) which makes wolfsbane an important feature in many mystery and vampire novels. All parts of the plant should be regarded as deadly poisonous.
Additional references: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.
Flowers: July; blue to purple sometimes white or cream colored; topped with a distinctive hood, 2-5 cm from top of hood to tip of pendent sepals; inflorescence racemes or panicles.
Leaves: Cauline leaves; blades deeply 3-5 divided, 5-15 cm wide, margins toothed.
Glossaries of botanical terms: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.
