PlantFiles: Aconite, Monkshood, Monk's Coule, Helmet Flower, Cat's Tail
Aconitum napellus 'Anglicum Group'

I have seen it growing in the wild in South Wales (UK) and it was a marvelous sight, drifts of violet and blue amongst the grasses and other flowers, but due to local laws about collecting seeds and plants from the wild I was unable to collect any samples.

This species come under either of the following: Aconitum Anglicum (English Monkshood although it can also be found in Western Europe) or Aconitum Napellus 'Anglicum Group'. The addition of the 'subsp. napellus' part might have appeared as a typing error.

Great care should be taken when handling any part of this species. Gloves are advisable and any cut or graze should be covered.
A lot of poisoning cases have been due to people mistaking the roots for horseradish.

I love this plant! It is a nice, tall plant that blooms in shade in the late fall when most plants are done blooming.

I have monkshood in my tall cottage gardenbed. It grows to about five foot before it flowers , it looks nice with white David phlox and black eyed susan. However, I will remove it as its poisonous aspects represent some potential of harm to children . There are so many other plants of equal beauty that we do not need risk.

I wish to add following information about the plant:
Aconite is a deadly poisonous plant acting on the heart. The plant roots are highly toxic. Orally it has sweet tatse and is often used for homicidal or suicidal poisoning purposes by mixing with food materials, drinks etc. Hence be careful!!
- Prof Dr. Nageshkumar G Rao

This is one of the most poisonous plants in the world.
When in flower, it is quite characteristic, but with foliage only it may be dangerously confused with an edible herb:

I once read a story about someone who had mistaken the foliage for celery, and added a few leaves to a panful of soup. It resulted in the death of 3 or 4 members of her family, including herself.

A herbaceous perennial from Western Britain and is the only British representative of the genus.

Some don't consider it a true native to Great Britain and think it may have been brought here over 1000 years ago. There is some discussion about whether this is a napellus sub species, napellus is a very variable species and many still list A. napellus subsp. napellus as Aconitum anglicum. Whatever the real history is, it's rare in the wild and can only be found in a few western regions of England and South Wales.

Has pale to mid green, rounded leaves that are finely divided into narrow segments. Bears violet - blue hooded flowers that bees love.

Flowers late April - July

Loves a moist but well-drained, fetile soil in light shade. Will tolerate dryish shade but won't flower as well.

This plant is highly poisonous and can irritate sensitive skins if handled. Grow where children and animals can't take a nibble.