No images found for this plant ID: 293.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "293" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
Indian aconite
Scientific Name: Aconitum ferox
Family: Ranunculaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Aconitum ferox: Indian Aconite
Aconitum ferox, also known as Aconitum virorum, is a species of monkshood belonging to the family Ranunculaceae. It is commonly called Indian Aconite.
Considerations for Pets
- The entire plant is highly toxic. Simple skin contact has been reported to cause numbness.
Considerations for Children
- The entire plant is highly toxic.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Aconitum ferox
- Synonym: Aconitum virorum
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Common Names: Indian Aconite, Himalayan Monkshood, Monk's Hood
- Hindi Name: ????? Vachnag
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to India, with several species possessing medicinal value.
- Nepal Aconite is collected in Nepal.
Morphological Characteristics
- Grows up to 1 meter in height.
- Leaves are 5-10 cm long, acute, and sharply toothed.
- Flowers grow in a raceme.
- Root is biennial.
Quirky Facts
- Aconite is among the oldest known poisons and was described in the Rig Veda, a sacred ancient Indian text.
- Historically, Indian Tantrists known as the Aghori ingested psychoactive plants and poisons to experience the divine.
Traditional Uses and Toxicity
- Some species are used in traditional medicines in India, China, and Japan.
- The plant is known for its toxicity, primarily due to the presence of pseudoaconitine (also called Indian aconite), a potent alkaloid. Media reports sometimes refer to the poisoning agent as aconitine.
References
- WebMD - Find patient medical information for ACONITE
- Indian Jnal of Traditional Knowledge, Vol. 11(4), October 2012, pp. 685-696.
- Br Med J 1884 2 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.2.1252.1275