Carried by 2 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Aconitum columbianum is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family known by the common names Columbian monkshood or western monkshood. This wildflower is native to western North America where it grows in moist areas. It is a spindly, twining perennial plant with lobed or toothed leaves and long stems with far-spaced flowers. The folded, wrinkly flowers are often deep blue or purple, but may also be white or yellowish, and they usually have a spur. The fruits are pod-like follicles. Like other monkshoods, this plant is poisonous.
Perennial herb
1 - 5 ft Tall
Upright
Moderate
Blue, Purple, Yellow, White
Summer
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Low, Moderate, High
Medium
Prefers moist, fertile soil.
For propagating by seed: No treatment. (Emery and Frey 1971). 2 mos. stratification may improve germination ( Plants of the Southwest 1984 ).
1, 2, 3, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
Streambanks and meadows
Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 2 likely
Wormwood Pug
Eupithecia absinthiata
Purple-Lined Sallow
Pyrrhia exprimens