Aconitum carmichaeli

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese aconite
• Sichuan aconite
• Autumn Monkshood
• Azure Monk's-hood
• Azure Monkshood
• Carmichael's Monkshood
• Chinese aconite
• Common Monkshood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ranunculales, it is classified under the family Ranunculaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Aconitum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several distinct regions in Asia and Europe. In China, its distribution is extensive, covering areas such as South-Central China and North-Central China. It is also found throughout the Manchuria region and the northern reaches of Inner Mongolia. Beyond Asia, the species extends its range into Middle Europe, specifically within Germany. Consequently, these diverse locations highlight the broad geographical footprint of Aconitum carmichaelii.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Aconitum carmichaelii is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons via its robust tuberous root system. Its developmental cycle begins with the emergence of shoots from underground storage organs during the spring, fueled by stored nutrients. As a perennial, the plant undergoes seasonal cycles of vegetative growth and flowering, typically reaching maturity over several years. During the active growing season, it develops lush foliage and produces characteristic inflorescences, which are essential for its reproductive phase. Following flowering, the plant produces seeds that facilitate genetic dispersal, while the plant itself enters a period of dormancy during colder months to protect its vital structures. This perennial nature ensures its long-term survival and ability to re-emerge annually in its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aconitum carmichaelii is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it grow as an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 1.5 meters to a maximum of 3 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Aconitum carmichaelii are defined by a specific range of morphological dimensions that govern its photosynthetic surface area. The leaves exhibit significant variability in size, with a minimum leaf length of 6 cm and a mean leaf length of 8.5 cm, reaching a maximum potential length of 11 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width demonstrates a substantial spread, ranging from a minimum of 9 cm to a maximum width of 15 cm. These dimensions indicate a robust leaf structure capable of varying its surface area to optimize light interception and gas exchange within its natural habitat.

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf width max:

15 cm

Leaf width min:

9 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aconitum carmichaelii is characterized by a specific flowering period and distinct fruit morphology. The plant enters its flowering phase starting in September and continues through to November, though the exact timing can be variable. Following pollination, the plant develops fruits that exhibit consistent physical dimensions; the length of these fruits typically ranges from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 1.8 cm, with an average fruit length of approximately 1.65 cm.

Flowering time :

Sep

Flowering time :

Nov

Fruit length max:

1.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.65 cm

Fruit length min:

1.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aconitum carmichaelii has 3 reported plant parts identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, stem.

Root

1. Phytochemistry
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Journal of chromatography. A
5. Journal of the science of food and agriculture

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Aconitum carmichaelii has 50 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Hypaconitine, aconitine, Fuziline, Benzoylmesaconine, Carmichaeline.

Hypaconitine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemistry
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. Planta medica
5. Journal of natural products

aconitine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemistry
3. Planta medica
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Fuziline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Planta medica
4. Journal of natural products
5. Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology

Benzoylmesaconine

1. Journal of natural products
2. BMC plant biology
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology

Carmichaeline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Planta medica

Mesaconitine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Neoline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Planta medica

Songorine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Napelline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology

Activities

Aconitum carmichaelii has 177 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, (+)-Inotropic, ACE-Inhibitor, Anesthetic, Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker.

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology

(+)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiBPH

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Aconitum carmichaelii has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, analgesic, cerebrovascular disorders, depression, hypertension.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations