Fauna
Plant

Roundleaf Monkshood

Aconitum rotundifolium

Also known as Round-Leaved Monkshood, Roundleaf Wolfsbane, Central Asian Monkshood

Roundleaf monkshood crowns alpine scree slopes across Central Asia and the Himalayas with pale hooded blossoms and rounded, deeply cut foliage. These high-altitude perennials rely on specialized bumblebee pollinators capable of navigating their complex helmet-shaped flowers. Every part of the plant produces deadly aconitine alkaloids that protect it from mountain herbivores.

ToxicAlpineWildflower
Roundleaf Monkshood reference1 / 5
(c) Dmitry Boldyrev, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dmitry Boldyrev · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil Nutrients
ThreatsOverharvesting for traditional remedies, climate warming
HabitatsAlpine meadows, stony slopes, subalpine shrublands
Life spanPerennial
Classification
  1. FamilyRanunculaceae
  2. SpeciesAconitum rotundifolium
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Contains lethal aconitine alkaloids absorbed through skin or mouth; do not handle or consume.
Why it is dangerous
Contains aconitine alkaloids that cause severe neurotoxicity, cardiac arrhythmia, and fatal cardiac arrest.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by round, palmately divided basal leaves and helmet-shaped blue, purple, or whitish flowers.
What to do
Do not touch with bare hands, and keep children and pets at a safe distance.
Responsible observation
  • Observation: Photograph the unusual hooded flowers from a respectful distance without picking or touching.
  • Safety: Wear gloves if working near alpine vegetation to prevent accidental contact with plant sap.
  • Habitat Awareness: Stick to established mountain trails to avoid disturbing fragile high-altitude soils.
Related species
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