Aconitum ferox aka Indian Aconite

Aconitum ferox is a perennial in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. Common names include Himalayan monkshood, Indian aconite, and Nepal aconite. Its native range spans the central and eastern Himalayas to northern Myanmar. It grows in Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim in India. Wild plants occur in scrub and forest clearings at high elevations. These habitats lie around 6,890–11,810 feet [2,100–3,600 metres] above sea level.

The plant has an upright form and reaches about 3.3 feet [1 metre]. Its blooms come in shades of blue and purple. Plants For A Future gives August to September as flowering time. Chicago Botanic Garden lists a longer season, from July through October. Bees pollinate the flowers, and butterflies visit the plant. Its height and upright shape suit beds and borders. It can also stand alone or grow beneath taller plants.

This species grows in full sun or partial shade. Light woodland shade also suits it. It prefers moist soil and can grow in several soil types. These include sand, loam, and heavy clay. Chicago Botanic Garden also notes that it grows in rocky ground. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soil. Plants For A Future notes a preference for lime-rich ground. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA hardiness zones 5–9. A woodland garden can provide a suitable site with dappled shade.

Seed and division offer two ways to raise new plants. Fresh seed can go into a cold frame once ripe. Stored seed may need cold treatment and can germinate slowly. Young plants spend their first winter in a cold frame. They can go outside in late spring or early summer. Sources cited by Plants For A Future differ on division timing. They suggest spring, autumn, or late winter. The plant may hinder nearby growth, with legumes at particular risk. Chicago Botanic Garden lists it as deer-resistant.

Every part of this plant is highly poisonous. Skin contact has caused numbness, so wear gloves when handling it. It has no known food use. Its roots have a history of medicinal use in India and Nepal. That history does not make home use safe. Plants For A Future warns that such use needs qualified supervision. Collection of wild roots for medicine has reduced its abundance across much of its range.