Aconitum koreanum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aconitum delavayi var. coreanum
• Aconitum komarovii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Aconitum coreanum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales. Finally, it is a member of the family Ranunculaceae and falls under the genus Aconitum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions in East Asia. In the Russian Far East, its presence is specifically noted within the Primorye region. The species also extends into China, where it can be found in Inner Mongolia, Manchuria, and China North-Central. Furthermore, its range reaches into the country of Mongolia. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various habitats across Northern Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aconitum coreanum is characterized by its preference for diverse high-altitude environments, specifically thriving within meadows, mountainous regions, and stony places. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal niche, with its distribution ranging from a minimum elevation of 200 m AMSL to a maximum of 900 m AMSL. Across its natural range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 550 m AMSL, positioning it within specific montane and sub-montane ecological zones where its preferred substrate and terrain types are found.

Elevational range max:

900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

550 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Habitat :

meadows, mountains, stony places

Life history

The life history of Aconitum coreanum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years and undergoes recurring seasonal cycles. Throughout its lifespan, the plant establishes a robust root system that allows it to survive periods of dormancy, typically during the colder months, before re-emerging to complete its reproductive stages. Its developmental cycle involves a continuous process of vegetative growth and periodic flowering, where it allocates energy to sustain its perennial nature through various environmental shifts. This long-term survival strategy ensures that the species can persist in its habitat over multiple seasons, relying on its perennial lifecycle to maintain population stability.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aconitum coreanum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species that grows in terrestrial habitats and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variation in plant height, with individuals ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.65 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.65 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of Aconitum coreanum are closely reflected in its foliar morphology, which demonstrates specific dimensional variations. The leaves exhibit a measurable range in both longitudinal and lateral dimensions, with leaf lengths typically averaging 5.3 cm, though they can fluctuate between a minimum of 4.2 cm and a maximum of 6.4 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows significant variability, maintaining a mean width of 5 cm, with dimensions ranging from a minimum of 3.6 cm to a maximum width of 6.4 cm. These morphological parameters suggest a specialized surface area optimization that supports the plant's metabolic processes and structural integrity within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

6.4 cm

Leaf length mean:

5.3 cm

Leaf length min:

4.2 cm

Leaf width max:

6.4 cm

Leaf width mean:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

3.6 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aconitum coreanum is characterized by its sexual reproductive capacity, as the species features bisexual flowers that contain both male and female reproductive organs. The flowering period for this medicinal plant is concentrated in the late summer months, with the flowering process typically beginning in August and reaching its conclusion in September.

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Sep

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Root

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Stem

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Chemicals

Aconitum coreanum has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Guanfu base A, Guanfu base G, Atisine, Guanfu base I, Hypaconitine.

Guanfu base A

1. Journal of chromatography. A
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Guanfu base G

1. Journal of chromatography. A
2. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Atisine

1. Journal of chromatography. A
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Guanfu base I

1. Journal of chromatography. A
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Hypaconitine

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Polysaccharide

1. Oncology reports

Conditions

Aconitum coreanum has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include heart disease, pain.

Heart disease

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Pain

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Preparations

Aconitum coreanum has 5 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ACP1, ACP1‑s sulphated derivative, crude extract, extracted polysaccharide, roots.

Acp1

1. Oncology reports

Acp1‑s sulphated derivative

1. Oncology reports

Crude extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Extracted polysaccharide

1. Oncology reports

Roots

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica