Aconitum flowers
Name : Aconitum Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Aconitum (Aconitum Napellus)
Aconitum Description
Aconitum flowers are handsome plants, tall, erect stems crowned by racemes of large, eye-catching flowers. This flower variety belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). There are over 250 species of the genus Aconitum. This genus is a group of hardy ornamental, perennial plants, much used in borders and masses for their showy flowers and effective foliage.The plant bears spires of beautiful hooded flowers, thus earning the common name of Monkshood. Aconitum are found mainly in the mountainous regions of the northern hemisphere, including Europe.
Aconitum flowers are known by different common names such as Aconite, Monkshood, Wolfsbane, Leopard's Bane, Women's Bane, Devil's Helmet or Blue Rocket.
Aconitum flowers grow well in moisture retentive but well draining soils, displaying colourful flowers in summer and autumn. Aconitum thrive in the garden soils, and will grow in the shade of trees. These plants are easily propagated by divisions of the root or by seeds.
Aconitum should not be disturbed unnecessarily. They survive the northern winters if kept protected under a leaf-covering, while for less severe winter, straw or evergreen boughs are sufficient protection.
Aconites are known for their poisonous nature as well. These flowers should never be planted in or too near the kitchen-garden or the children's garden, as the roots and some of the flowers have a deadly poison.
Aconitum is a beautiful perennial flower that will add colour and life to any garden. With so many colours and varieties to choose from, it can provide height and contrast to any combination of flowers that the planter might fancy. Aconitum flowers are great to use as a contrast to the yellow helianthus and rudbeckias, the white of Phlox paniculata, to Chrysanthemum maximum and Anemone japonica. They are also good for mixing in on shrub borders.
Popular varieties of Aconitum include A. napellus or Common monkshood, with blue flowers. Cultivars of Aconitum napellus include “Carneum” and “Bicolor”. Another variety is A. lamarckii with large racemes of yellow flowers, while the variety A. reclinatum has white flowers. Aconitum carmichaelii or Azure Monkshood has a number of cultivars including “Arendsii”, “Baker’s variety”, “Kelmscott Variety” and “wilsonii”.
The lovely Aconitum flowers are available in hues of blue, purple, white, yellow or pink.
Aconitum makes a beautiful cut flower, adding colour and height to any flower arrangement or bouquet. The cool, blue Aconitum add drama to a table centrepiece, while the white and pink varieties are ideal for softer, more traditional settings. Aconitums can be successfully dried for use in dried flower arrangements.
Aconitums have a long vase life of about 10 days during which the flowers continue to open.
Aconitum Meaning
Aconitum are thought to symbolize “Hatred”, “Misanthropy”, and “Be cautious”.
Aconitum Mythology
According to another Greek legend, when Hercules fought the three-headed dog Cerberus outside the gates of hell, huge gobs of dog spit flew through the air. And everywhere they landed monkshood grew.
In Romeo and Juliet, when Romeo asks for poison, he is actually referring to monkshood.
Monkshood has been used for the tips of poisonous arrows in different parts of the world. Aconitum are also used medicinally for treating toothache, migraine and neuralgia.
The aconitum flower seems to have fascinated many writers and also finds their due share of spotlight in Greek Mythology. Wolfsbane has been ascribed with supernatural powers relating to Werewolves and other lycanthropes. It is believed to repel them, or in some way induce their lycanthropic condition. Aconite is often an important ingredient in witches' magic ointments. As the saying goes:
Even A Man Who Is Pure Of Heart
And Says His Prayers By Night
May Become A Wolf
When The Wolfsbane Blooms
And The Autumn Moon Is Bright
