Aconitum napellus subsp. napellus
Aconitum napellus subsp. napellus, commonly known as Monkshood or Wolfsbane, is a striking perennial herb famous for its helmet-shaped blue flowers. While revered in traditional herbalism for its potent physiological effects, it is highly toxic. Careful expertise is essential, as its alkaloids can be fatal if mishandled.
- Scientific name: Aconitum napellus subsp. napellus
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Ranunculales and the family Ranunculaceae. Specifically, it is a member of the genus Aconitum, categorized as the subspecies napellus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ranunculales | WCVP |
| Family | Ranunculaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Aconitum | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions within the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence is documented in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Moving toward the southern regions, it can also be found throughout Southwestern Europe. Specifically, its range extends into the diverse landscapes of France. Finally, the distribution reaches as far as Spain within the Southwestern European territory.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | NW. Balkan Pen. | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Baltic States | WCVP |
| Northeastern U.S.A. | New York | WCVP |
| Northeastern U.S.A. | Vermont | WCVP |
Activities
Aconitum napellus subsp. napellus has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |