Aconitum septentrionale, commonly known as Northern Wolf’s-bane, is an herbaceous perennial plant native to a variety of habitats including mountain meadows, forest clearings, and riverbanks across much of Europe and northern Asia, from lowlands to the subalpine zone. It typically grows up to 3 feet tall and features deeply palmately lobed leaves that are green in color. The plant is well-known for its hooded, dark violet flowers that bloom in the summer and are mainly pollinated by long-tongued bumblebees. Despite its beauty, all parts of the plant are highly toxic due to the presence of alkaloids such as aconitine.

Northern Wolf’s-bane is valued in cultivation for its striking flower spikes and is often used in perennial borders, woodland gardens, and as a part of naturalistic plantings. It requires moist, well-drained soil and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade. While it has historical medicinal uses, due to its toxicity, it is now primarily grown for ornamental purposes. Gardeners should handle the plant with care and be aware of its toxic nature to avoid accidental poisoning.CC BY-SA 4.0