Species library · Plants & herbs

Northern Monkshood: deadly poisonous

Aconitum septentrionale

☠ Deadly poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Northern Monkshood is classed as deadly poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from January to December in the northern hemisphere. Found in Grassland, Woodland edges. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Deadly poisonous
Northern Monkshood (Aconitum septentrionale)

Photo: (c) Анна Митрошенкова, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Анна Митрошенкова · iNaturalist

When Northern Monkshood appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Northern Monkshood is usually found in Grassland, Woodland edges.

Look up Northern Monkshood in the app

In the Forage app, Northern Monkshood has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Northern Monkshood: common questions

Is Northern Monkshood poisonous?

Yes. Northern Monkshood is classed as deadly poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Northern Monkshood appear?

Northern Monkshood usually appears from January to December in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Northern Monkshood grow?

Northern Monkshood is usually found in Grassland, Woodland edges.

What can Northern Monkshood be confused with?

Deadly look-alikes: Monkshood, Wolfsbane, Variegated monkshood. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits