Wolfsbane has traditionally been used to protect homes from werewolves and can be used to prevent shapeshifting.īundles of wolfsbane could be placed around barns and pastures to protect livestock from predators (taking care that the livestock have no access to it, lest they be killed themselves).īecause of its baneful nature, it could be used in sympathetic magic to bring harm to another by creating “elf bolts” of sharpened flint dipped in wolfsbane juice and piercing a poppet for the victim with them. It is extremely toxic and should not be used for healing by the lay herbalist. Wolfsbane has been used historically as a treatment for lycanthropy (werewolf-ism) and as an antidote to other poisons. Wolfsbane does not tend to suffer damage from wildlife, but aphids like it.īees enjoy wolfbane. Wolfsbane likes a moist, shady or partly shaded spot with rich soil full of organic material in a spot that will not be bothered by children or pets. It is much easier to propagate by division, which is possible after a few years of growth due to its clumping habit. You should be aware that its toxic compounds are also contained in its seeds, so use gloves when handling the seeds and disposing of water it has been soaked in. Alternatively, you could try soaking and freezing the seeds in a wet paper towel for a few weeks before soaking them for several days in cold water and then planting. You could try planting it in the fall so that the seeds experience the winter freeze and thaw if you live in an area that experiences a good hard freeze in the winter with plenty of snow. Wolfsbane germinates in response to snowmelt, so it can be somewhat difficult for the backyard gardener to get it going. In Greek myth, Medea attempted to poison Theseus by putting wolfsbane in his wine. I have seen it reported that it was used to poison arrows when hunting wolves by the ancient Greeks and that it was used to poison meat left out by farmers. Wolfsbane gets its name from the fact that it was once used to kills wolves. The bright green leaves are palmately shaped and deeply lobed and toothed.Ī member of the aconite family, wolfsbane is highly toxic. It grows to about 3 feet tall, spreads out in clumps and produces lovely spikes of ivory, green or bright yellow pitcher-shaped flowers from spring to midsummer. Space them 12 to 24 inches apart.Wolfsbane is perennial Alpine woodland wildflower and a member of the deadly aconite family. You can transplant your seedlings into your garden after your last frost. Cold stratify them in your refrigerator for 3 weeks then place the container on a shady windowsill. Start your seeds 10 weeks before your last frost. If you prefer to start your seeds indoors, they will need a period of cold stratification to mimic the cold weather of winter. Plant the seeds where you want them to grow because the plants don’t like being transplanted. They should be sown directly into your garden in the fall, early winter or early spring. Unlike most perennials, they don’t need to be divided regularly which is fortunate because they don’t like having their roots disturbed. Dig them up in the fall or spring and divide them gently. Monkshood is usually propagated by division. Newer cultivars can be white or bicolor, blue and white. The flowers are blue and borne on stalks. When grown in partial shade, the plants need staking. Full grown specimens are anywhere from 3 to 5 feet tall. It likes rich, moist soil so keep it well-watered. Monkshood will tolerate full sun, but prefers partial shade. The plants die to the ground in the fall. It is a perennial plant that is native to the northern hemisphere and is hardy from zones 4 through 8. Monkshood gained its name from the shape of its flower which resembles the hood on a monk’s habit. It is also mentioned as a poison in Greek and Roman records. The tips of soldiers’ spears were dipped in poison to hasten the deaths of their foes.ĭespite being poisonous, monkshood has been used medicinally in Chinese, Japanese and Ayurvedic medicine. Unfortunately, it has also been used in warfare. Historically, the poison from monkshood has been used in hunting wolves, bears and even whales. When grown in your garden, be sure to keep small children and pets away from it. You should wear gloves when handling it and wash your hands afterwards. It contains a neurotoxin, aconitine, that can kill humans and other animals. Monkshood ( Aconitum napellus), also known as wolfsbane, is not just poisonous for wolves.
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