This plant is probably native in the South West according to Stace but you do see it well naturalised at the sides of roads which is where this patch of plants was found. There are supposed to be sub species of this plant but Stace casts doubt on these as the distinctions between them don't always work. It is distributed throughout England, Scotland and Wales but only occasionally found in Ireland.

Aconitum napellus is famous for being very poisonous. The alkaloids it contains are said to be a more powerful poison even than cyanide so don't grow it in your garden where it's very poisonous roots have been mistaken for Horse-radish. One of the herbal antidotes to Aconite poison is a tincture of Digitalis.

The antidote to a Monk's-hood is a Foxglove!

LHS: Near Wooler Northumberland 16th July 2006 RHS Helsby Hill 19th Oct 2007

Added on 30th July 2006, Validated 19th Dec 2007, updated 20th February 2010