Wolfsbane
Aconitum vulparia
Synonyms: Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. lasianthum, Aconitum pauciflorum, Aconitum beckianum, Aconitum gracilescens, Aconitum vulparia f. monanense, Aconitum lasiostomum f. velutinum, Aconitum vulparia f. myoctonum, Aconitum vulparia subsp. pauciflorum, Aconitum lycoctonum var. penninum, Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. penninum, Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. vulparia, Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. puberulum, Aconitum lycoctonum var. thalianum, Aconitum lycoctonum var. puberulum, Lycoctonum paishanense, Aconitum penninum, Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. thalianum, Aconitum vulparia var. thalianum, Aconitum vulparia var. puberulum, Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. pauciflorum, Aconitum vulparia subsp. penninum, Aconitum vulparia var. gracilescens, Aconitum tragoctonum, Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. croaticum, Aconitum vulparia subsp. croaticum, Aconitum lycoctonum var. vulparia, Aconitum vulparia subsp. thalianum, Aconitum vulparia f. praecox, Aconitum velutinum, Aconitum vulparia var. tragoctonum, Aconitum vulparia var. penninum, Aconitum velebiticum, Aconitum vulparia f. adenocarpum, Aconitum thalianum, Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. gracilescens, Aconitum vulparia subsp. platanifolium, Aconitum croaticum, Aconitum puberulum, Aconitum vulparia f. adenosepalum, Aconitum vulparia f. beckianum
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Botanical Description
Aconitum vulparia, the wolfsbane or yellow wolfsbane, is a perennial herb in the Ranunculaceae native to damp, shaded woodland, forest margins, and montane meadows of central and southern Europe, where it occurs from the Pyrenees through the Alps to the Carpathians. Plants arise from a turnip-shaped, often paired tuberous root and reach 50 to 150 cm tall on slender, erect, slightly arching stems. The alternate leaves are palmately deeply divided into five to seven coarsely toothed lobes, 8 to 20 cm wide, glossy dark green above. The inflorescence is a long, narrow, terminal raceme of pale primrose to sulphur-yellow flowers; each flower has five petaloid sepals, the uppermost forming a tall, narrow, elongated hood (helmet) 1.5 to 2.5 cm long that is far longer than wide, distinguishing it from the violet-flowered Aconitum napellus. Fruits are clusters of three to five erect follicles releasing winged seeds. The entire plant, especially the root, contains highly toxic diterpenoid alkaloids including lycaconitine and aconitine analogues.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.