Monkshood (Aconitum delphiniifolium) is found growing in "woodlands, meadows" and "into mid-alpine areas." Leaves are deeply lobed, resembling geranium. Flowers are helmet-shaped with color ranging from light to navy blue, or occasionally white. Also called wolfbane, it was once "used in bait for killing wolves." The plant is deadly poisonous! (Chugachmiut Heritage Preservation 2011)

References

Chugachmiut Heritage Preservation. Traditional Sugpiaq Medicinal Plants. Chugachmiut Heritage Preservation, 2011. Copyright Thomas Carefoot, 1977. https://chugachmiut.whirlihost.com/Detail/objects/4676

Hultén, Eric. Flora of Alaska and Neighboring Territories: A Manual of the Vascular Plants, 1968.

Kari, Priscilla Russell. Tanaina Plantlore Dena’ina K’et’una: An Ethnobotany of the Dena’ina Indians of Southcentral Alaska. Alaska Native Language Center (University of Alaska Fairbanks), Alaska Natural History Association, National Park Service, fourth edition, 1995. 

Russell, Priscilla N. English Bay and Port Graham Alutiiq Plantlore. Pratt Museum (Homer Society of Natural History), Chugach Heritage Foundation, and Alaska Native Plant Society, 1991.

Schofield, Janice J. Discovering Wild Plants: Alaska, Western Canada, The Northwest, fourth printing. Anchorage, AK, Alaska Northwest Books, 1998.

Viereck, Eleanor G. Alaska’s Wilderness Medicines: Healthful Plants of the Far North. Alaska Northwest Books, Fifth printing, 1995.

Author

Cecelia N. Dailey, 28 August 2025