Monkshood
Aconitum lycoctonum
- Native to:
- Belarus, Czechia-Slovakia, Germany, Poland, Russia, Ukraine
Didier Descouens
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus:
- Aconitum
- Species:
- Aconitum lycoctonum
- USDA Symbol:
- ACLY
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, cream
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, bumblebees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers cool, shaded environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 21–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification and may germinate erratically. Light aids germination; sow on surface or barely cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow immediately, Either the viability of these seeds is short or the species propagates best with fresh seed. Stored seed might be coaxed into germination with temperature cycling and patience. * seed very poisonous, wash hands after handling ,20°C x 4 weeks, then -7°C x 6 weeks, then 10°C,