Aconitum lycoctonum seed

Aconitum lycoctonum ssp. vulparia

‘Wolfsbane’

Ranunculaceae: A Long-lived perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). found in woods and bushy places in damp shady places. Green-tipped flowers – yellow in the best forms, off-white in others, flowering from June-August. Bright green shiny foliage. Native to Europe to Asia.

USES:

The root has analgesic, anodyne, diaphoretic, diuretic, irritant, sedative properties. This is a very poisonous plant and should only be used with extreme caution and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Thrives in most soils, but prefers a moist calcareous soil in sun or semi-shade. Plants will only thrive in a sunny position if the soil remains moist throughout the growing season.

seed is best sown in the autumn, but the seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. I have found that soaking the seeds in Gibberellic Acid, or GA3 which is a plant growth hormone, seeds up germination.