Monkshood

The tall spikes of hooded deep violet or blue flowers, resembling a monk’s cowl, are highly distinctive. However, they give little clue that Monkshood is a member of the buttercup family. Each flower has numerous stamens and five petal-like parts, the upper part larger and forming the characteristic hood. The large leaves, which are rounded in outline, are deeply divided into many narrow lobes.

The entire plant, particularly the root, is extremely poisonous. Monkshood is frequently grown in gardens and is used in floristry. Northern Wolfsbane, found in Scandinavia, is similar, but has violet or yellow flowers with a more tapered hood, and less deeply divided leaves.

LEAVES : Alternate, divided into 5–7 finely toothed lobes.

PLANT HEIGHT : 80–150cm.

FLOWERING TIME : June–September.

FRUIT : A group of follicles.

FLOWER SIZE : 1.5–2cm wide.

SIMILAR SPECIES : Meadow Clary, which has larger flowers and oval to oblong leaves; Northern Wolfsbane, which has a more tapered hood.