Larkspur-leaf monkshood in my front yard

 For several years I have thought there were a few larkspur plants lurking among my high-bush cranberries. Those plants actually bloomed this year and I discovered that instead of wild delphinium among my cranberries, I have larkspur-leaf monkshood (Aconitum delphiniifolium D.C.)

The flowers are beautiful, and I have been thinking that monkshood would make a nice addition to my native species garden and ta-da! Here they are.

All parts of the plant are poisonous, However, I have been assured by our local Cooperative Extension office that casual contact probably isn’t hazardous unless sap gets into a  cut or wound, and the taste is so bitter no one could accidentally ingest it.

This summer has been unusually wet and monkshood is a moisture-loving plant. That may have something to do with the monkshood finally blooming.

For more photos of larkspur-leaf monkshood click here.