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Aconite
is perhaps the most deadly poison on
Earth. The genus Aconitum is the
source of that poison, and occurs in all
species. The genus is found throughout the
northern hemisphere, with one species and
three subspecies in Alaska. They are
identified by their leaf shapes, and
number and location of their flowers.
Pictured here is the most abundant
subspecies (Aconitium delphinifolia
d.) which is found throughout
most of the state.
The second species (Aconitium
maximum) is found in the Aleutian
Islands and eastern Asia with related
forms across northern Europe. It inhabits
sub-alpine regions. Maximum has
large leaves that are dense and all
flowers are clustered at the top of the
leafy stalk.
All parts of all species are poisonous and
the roots contain the most aconite making
it extremely deadly. The genus
Maximum carries more poison than
any of our other monkshoods. Even handling
the root is dangerous, and if it enters
the blood stream through a cut or abrasion
it can cause death within
minutes.
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The "wolfbane" poison of Europe and Asia
was merely the liquid extracted from the
root of monkshood, which was dribbled onto
bait to kill wolves. It was very
effective. Harpoons tipped with
concentrated aconite have been used to
kill whales in the Aleutian Islands and
Kamchatka Peninsula. Ounce for ounce it is
far more deadly than the venom of any
reptile and can kill quicker.
There are herbal medicines made from the
subspecies, delphinifolia, that are used
by some herbalists. The practice is
dangerous and should be avoided. Even
collecting it is
dangerous.
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