The genus Aconitum worldwide is notorious for complex patterns of morphologic intergradation that blur the lines between taxa. Aconites from different regions may be morphologically distinct but connected by a series of intermediate races[]. There have been huge differences of opinion between botanists as to how to define a species in this genus, with the Flora of N. America recognizing around 100 species worlwide[], whilst the Flora of China recognizes 211 species in China alone and around 400 species worldwide[]. We are following the proposed treatment in the 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families', which is still under review, but currently (2016) recognizes about 320 distinct species (391 including hybrids and infraspecific forms) and over 1,000 synonyms[].

Common Name:

General Information

Aconitum lethale is a herbaceous perennial plant with an erect, unbranched stem that can grow 90 - 150cm tall and can have a somewhat climbing habit. The stem grows from a biennial tuberous root that produces a new tuber each year, the old tuber dying after the plant flowers[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for medicinal use.

Known Hazards

The root, and probably all the plant, is very poisonous[, ].
The aconites have been of interest since ancient times because they contain diterpene alkaloids that range from relatively nontoxic to deadly poisonous. In various parts of the world they have been used medicinally and as a source of poisons throughout history. The use of Aconitum alkaloids in modern Western medicine was largely discontinued by the late 1930's and early 1940's, though the roots are still widely used in traditional medicine, especially in Asia[, ].

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Himalayas from Nepal to Tibet at an elevation of 2,200 - 4,200 metres

Habitat

Forests in the upper subalpine areas in open positions on rocky slopes.

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade, succeeding in full sun so long as the soil does not become dry[].
All Aconitum species are prohibited for export in India if the plants have been collected from the wild. Cultivated specimens can be exported from India[].
Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer[].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The tuber is used in Tibetan medicine where it is considered to have an acrid and sweet taste with a heating potency - it is also very poisonous[, ]. The root is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic and vermifuge[]. It dries up serous fluids and is used in the treatment of all types of pain and inflammation from gout or arthritis, all disorders due to worms or micro-organisms, amnesia, loss of bodily heat, leprosy and paralysis[].

The root is white, almost horny, taste rather indifferent to rather bitter, followed by a tingling and a burning sensation[].
Tubers can contain 0.5% (mother tuber) to 1% (daughter tuber) of the poisonous alkaloid pseudaconitine[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate[]. 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[, ]. 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[].