Also called anthora, yellow helmet flower, hanging wolfsbane, and healing wolfsbane, this evergreen herbaceous perennial is a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, that also includes delphinium, anemone, and hellebore. It is native to the mountains of Europe and northern Asia where it grows on sunny mountain slopes and forest edges. Plants grow up to 36″ tall from a tuberous root system and are erect and sparsely branched. The blue-green foliage is attractive and deeply cut. From mid-summer to early fall, racemes of pale yellow, helmeted flowers appear. They are nectar-rich and attract beneficial insects including butterflies and bees. Flowering stems are good in the vase. The derivation of the genus name, Aconitum, is disputed but may come from a Greek word ἀκόνιτον (akoniton) which may come from the Greek word ἀκόν (akon) meaning dart or javelin, the tips of which were dipped in poison. The specific epithet and common name, anthora, may come from the Greek prefex ἀ- (a-) meaning against and the Greek word θώρα (thora) meaning poison, and refers to the historical belief that the plant possessed medicinal properties that could counteract toxins or serve as an antidote to poisoning.
Type: Evergreen herbaceous perennial
Bloom: Racemes of pale yellow, hooded flowers from mid summer to early fall
Size: 12-36″ H x 12-18″ W
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Soil: Fertile, humus-rich, consistently moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral
Hardiness: Zones 3-6
Care: Handle with great care because all parts of the plant are toxic especially the roots
Pests and Diseases: Generally healthy but can suffer from fungal diseases in humid or overly moist conditions
Propagation: Cold stratified seed, division
Companion Plants: Japaneses anemone, Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), hosta, ferns,
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Karen