''Aconitum degenii'' is a species of flowering plant in the

buttercup family Ranunculaceae (buttercup or crowfoot family; Latin "little frog", from "frog") is a family of over 2,000 known species of flowering plants in 43 genera, distributed worldwide. The largest genera are ''Ranunculus'' (600 species), ''Delphinium' ...

known by the common name branched monkshood .

Distribution

This wildflower is native to Europe (south, south-east) where it grows in subalpine areas. Inhabited biotops include tall herbaceous vegetation and deciduous forests.

Description

''Aconitum degenii'' is a tall spindly erect to scandent forb which is perennial from rhizomes. It has divided leaves. The flowering period extends primarily from July to September. The inflorescence is paniculate and branched. The perigon is blue or purple. The helmet is about as high as it is wide or less high. The nectar leaves have a curved stem. The spur is slightly bent back. The plant reaches a stature height between 0.5 and 2.5 m. The pollination is done by insects ('' Bombus spec.'' and others). The fruits are pod-like follicles.Jäger et al.: ''Rothmaler - Exkursionsflora von Deutschland'', Bd. 2. Aufl. 20, Spektrum akadem. Verlag. ''Aconitum degenii'' is poisonous due to the presence of

alkaloids Alkaloids are a class of basic, naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Some synthetic compounds of similar st ...

aconitine Aconitine is an alkaloid toxin produced by various plant species belonging to the genus '' Aconitum'' (family Ranunculaceae), known also commonly by the names wolfsbane and monkshood. Monkshood is notorious for its toxic properties. Aconitine is ...

Subspecies

Currently 2 subspecies are accepted: *''Aconitum degenii subsp. paniculatum'' (Arcang.) Mucher *''Aconitum degenii subsp. valesiacum'' (Gáyer) Mucher

References

External links

degenii {{Ranunculales-stub