Wilderness Image: Aconitum napellus,beautiful but deadly

This image, taken in Otago New Zealand, shows the distinctive cowl-like appearance of the flowers of the poisonous plant Aconitum napellus. The plant also derives its common name, monkshood, from the shape of the flowers. Endemic to Europe, it commonly grows in the Alps and other mountainous regions. Monkshood has also been cultivated as a garden perennial and can now be found in many other areas of the world outside its native range. Often called “the most poisonous plant in Europe,” ¹ it has been responsible for human poisonings following its misidentification for other edible plants. ² Wilderness explorers would be wise to become familiar with this plant so it can be admired for its beauty but not mistakenly ingested. Photo by Robin J. Slaughter, BSc. National Poisons Centre, New Zealand.