Alaska Nature Photography

Monkshood

Monkshood is a distinctive looking wildflower borne on shoulder high erect and sturdy stems. The dark blue to lavender flowers loosely cluster near the stem tops. The true petals are concealed under the hood. White or albino flowers are sometimes seen. Leaves are palmately lobed – that is, they look hand shaped. The leaf edges are deeply toothed. Monkshood blooms in midsummer from June through August. All parts of Monkshood are poisonous, especially the roots and seeds, and the flowers if eaten. In the past, wolves and criminals were poisoned with an extract from the European wolfs bane Acontium lycoctonum, a close relative of our monkshood.

Order # - Wildflower 6

Delta Junction, Alaska 99737
fisher@wildak.net
(907) 895-4298