Aconite strong is a beautifully flowering perennial plantwith an unusual appearance, being an element of the flora of the Polish mountains. In the gardensaconite is grown as an ornamental plantHowever, we must remember that it is not only beautiful, but also highly poisonous. Find out more aboutproperties and possibilities of using aconitein the garden. We explain whatcultivation of aconitelooks like and how to recognizesymptoms of aconite poisoningand provide possible help to the poisoned person.
Monkshood - Aconitum napellus
Fig. pixabay.com
Aconite strong - properties and application
Aconite strong(Aconitum firmum, syn. Aconitum napellus) is also referred to as a murderer, slippers, shoes of the Virgin Mary, omiag, omiak or ponies. It is a plant with thick, stiff and curly hairy stems, ranging from 50 to 150 cm in height.Aconite leavesare large, jagged and palm-shaped.
The ornamental properties of aconiteare appreciated, thanks to its beautiful flowers. From July to August,helmet-shaped purple-blue flowers of aconitedevelop on the tops of the stems, gathered in long and dense clusters. Other colors may have garden aconitevarieties of aconiteThe most interesting are monkshood 'Albus' (with white flowers) and monkshood 'Rubellum' (with pink flowers).
In gardens, monkshood is mainly used as an ornamental plant . It is especially recommended for wet sites. Suitable for rural and naturalistic gardens. Monkshood also looks great as a plant planted over a pond.
Monkshood produces tuberous, turnip-shaped roots with a dark brown color. The long and strongroots of the aconitestrengthen the crumbling slopes in the mountains, being a perfect reinforcement for the surrounding turf. This property of aconite made it used as a plant for planting on slopes.
Monkshood'Albus' is a variety with white flowers
Fig. © Gosia2501
Formerlymonkshood was used as a medicinal plant , and also as a poisonous plant (aconite poisoned, among others, arrows and swords). In medicine, aconite preparations have been used in neuralgia, rheumatism and arthritis. It was a local anesthetic and pain reliever. Unfortunately,the use of aconite for healing purposes was very riskyExceeding the therapeutic dose by a minimal amount led to severe poisoning.
Due to the very strong poisonous properties of aconite, it is currently grown only for ornamental purposes And we must do this with caution. Avoid growing aconite if there are small children in the garden or, for example, elderly people with memory lapses, who could easily poison them.
Monkshood - Aconitum napellus
Fig. © bez, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Aconite strong - performing in Poland
Aconite mite in Poland is very commonin the Sudetes, Carpathians and Świętokrzyskie Mountains. It grows in the mountains and foothills, it can be found in rock dumps and by streams, on the edges of forests, mountain pastures and in herbaceous plants.
Good to knowAll monkshood species, including monkshood, are under protection in Poland. This means that only nursery plants can be grown in the gardens. Obtaining aconite seedlings from natural sites is prohibited.
Aconite strong - cultivation in the garden
Growing monkshood is successful in humus , fertile, permeable and constantly moderately moist soils. Monkshood grows best in calcareous soils. However, it tolerates drought very badly, so in periods of prolonged drought, the plant should be watered. Especiallysusceptible to drought are varieties of aconite with white and pink flowersHowever, do not overdo it with excess water as it exposes plants to the development of fungal diseases.
Aconite grows best in a slightly shaded and quiet positionIn such conditions, the plant blooms profusely and for a long time. In more sunny locations, the plant produces large amounts of flowers, but they are smaller and less colored. On the other hand, in heavily shaded areas, flowering is very poor and the plant produces a lot of leaves.Monkshood hates strong sunlight
Aconite leaves and the appearance of the bellows with seeds
Fot.pixabay.com
Aconite looks best when planted in small groups of up to 10 plants. The recommendedspacing for planting aconiteis 7 plants per square meter.
To fertilize monkshoodit is best to use organic fertilizers (preferably compost) or long-acting multi-component mineral fertilizers. A valuable nursing treatment is mulching the soil around aconite. A thick layer of mulch protects the plant against excessive water loss from the substrate and against weed infestation. Instead of mulch, you can also use agrotextile.In late autumn, dry aconite shoots are cut close to the ground . The plant is completely frost-resistant and does not require winter cover (frost resistance zone 6).
Note!Since monkshood is a highly poisonous plant, all maintenance work on aconite should be carried out in protective gloves.
Symptoms of aconite poisoning
Aconite is a highly poisonous plant Already tearing it off with your bare hand is dangerous, as the poison is absorbed through the skin, causing tingling, irritation and inflammation of the skin.All parts of aconite contain the alkaloid aconitine, which is one of the most potent plant poisons in the worldA small amount is enough to kill a person. In addition, aconine juice, benzylconine, picraconitin, napeline and many other alkaloids are also present in aconite juice.
The highest concentration of aconitine is found in aconite roots and seeds. Aconitine has a pungent, searing taste. After consuming , the first symptoms of aconite poisoning are : burning and itching in the mouth and then the skin all over the body. Later there are numbness and tingling, pain in the calves, chills with cold sweat, and pale skin and mucous membranes. The pupils initially constrict and then begin to dilate and slowly respond to light. Photophobia and visual disturbances appear.Alkaloids present in aconite juicefurther irritate the intestines and liver, causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
With severe poisoning with aconite bloody vomiting and convulsions occur.The nervous and respiratory systems are paralyzed. The blood pressure drops and the heart rate slows down. Acute poisoning eventually leads to death due to cardiac arrest or paralysis of the respiratory muscles.
First aid for aconite poisoning
In the case ofsuspected aconite poisoningthe basic recommendation is to call an ambulance. While you wait for the ambulance to arrive, you must induce the poisoned person to vomit. The first vomiting should be kept in a plastic bag and given to paramedics. On the basis of their composition, in the hospital, medical personnel will be able to determine the cause of the poisoning and the type of toxin consumed, which will speed up activities aimed at saving the life of the poisoned person.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
