Scientific Name: Aconitum Columbianum
Common Name: Monkshood, Wolfsbane
Family: Buttercup
Color: Usually a deep blue or purple, but ranges
from the occasional white or pale pink, to light
blue or purple also.
Description: This peculiar, hood-shaped flower consists
of five petal-like sepals. The uppermost sepal curves upward and
forward, forming the top of a hood. The
bottom two sepals form the collar of the hood. Inside the flower is a cluster of reproductive parts and two hiding
whitish petals. The flowers alternate
at the top of a firm stem up to 6 feet high. The leaves are large and maple-like.
Habitat: Moist semi-shaded creek beds and banks.
Toxicity: Monkshood is extremely poisonous to
livestock and humans. The name
"Wolfsbane" comes from the medieval practice of poisoning darts to kill wolves.
Comments: Because the flower opening of monkshood
evolved into the size of a bumblebee, the flower"s natural pollinator,
monkshood will not thrive in areas without bumblebee populations.
