Monkshood has been given a variety of common names over the centuries, which often refer to the peculiar shape of the flowers. After all, the individual flowers look almost like a knight's helmet.
What does the monkshood flower look like and when does it bloom?
Monkshood flower, also known as Aconitum napellus, is a showy plant that blooms from July to September or later. Their unique knight's helmet-like shape has led to many common names such as monk's cap or storm hat. However, it is not recommended as a cut flower because of its toxicity.
Experience the monkshood flower in your own garden
The following common names are just a few examples of the many common names given to monkshood in different regions:
- Isenhütlein
- Fischerkip
- Cap Flowers
- Papenmütze
- storm hat
- Monk's Cap
The wild form of the blue monkshood (Aconitum napellus) still grows today on many mountain slopes in the Alps and the German low mountain ranges, as it tends to appreciate cool and evenly moist locations. If you sow monkshood in your garden in a place with soil that is as rich in clay as possible, you can enjoy long-lasting flowering from July to September or even later, depending on the subspecies.
Important tips for using as a cut flower
The cultivated varieties of monkshood often have more individual flowers on each stem than the wild form. Since all parts of the monkshood are highly poisonous, it should only be touched with gloves. Setting it up as a cut flower in a vase on the dining table is not recommended, as accidents have already occurred with parts of the flower being accidentally eaten. In general, this extremely poisonous ornamental plant should only be installed in households without children or pets where all residents are aware of the dangers of this beautiful flowering plant. The flowers should be cut when around 30% of the individual flowers are open.
Tip
Although monkshood is also used as a medicinal remedy, we strongly advise against conducting your own experiments with this plant. Eating just 2 grams of the root can lead to severe poisoning symptoms and death.