Aconitum heterophyllum

Habitat

Exposition

Plein soleil ou mi-ombre

Humidité

Humidité moyenne.

Sol

Tous sols. Tolère les sols très argileux.

pH

Sol acide ou calcaire

Rusticité

Zone 6

Habitat originel

Usually found on humus-rich soils in the alpine and subalpine zones, and in forests, 2300 - 2900 metres[145, 243].

Origine géographique

E. Asia - W. Himalayas.

Dangers connus

• The whole plant is highly toxic - simple skin contact has caused numbness in some people [1].
• One report says that this plant does not contain the toxic alkaloid aconitine, and so is not poisonous [4].
• It does, however, still contain an intensely bitter alkaloid [4].

Comestibilité

• Leaves and root - cooked [177].
• This report should be treated with great distrust due to the poisonous nature of the genus, but see the notes above on known hazards [K].

Usages médicinaux

• The dried root is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cholagogue, febrifuge and tonic [4, 240].
• It is used in India in the treatment of dyspepsia, diarrhoea and coughs [240, 243].
• It is also used in Tibetan medicine, where it is said to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency [241].
• It is used to treat poisoning from scorpion or snake bites, the fevers of contagious diseases and inflammation of the intestines [241].
• The root is best harvested in the autumn as soon as the plant dies down and is dried for later use [4].
• This is a very poisonous plant and should only be used with extreme caution and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner .

Culture

• Thrives in most soils and in the light shade of trees [1].
• Pousse bien dans les sols très argileux .
• Prefers a moist soil in sun or semi-shade [200].
• Prefers a calcareous soil .
• Grows well in open woodlands [1, 4].
• The roots of this plant are extensively collected from the wild for medicinal use and the species is becoming much rarer in many areas of its range [272].
• Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer [233].
• A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes [54].

Propagation

• Graine - le mieux est de semer dès qu'elles sont mûres sous un chassis [111].
• The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate [133].
• When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter .
• Plantez les en extérieur à la fin du printemps ou au début de l'été .
• Division - best done in spring but it can also be done in autumn [1, 111].
• Another report says that division is best carried out in the autumn or late winter because the plants come into growth very early in the year [233].