Aconitum columbianum
(Monk’s Hood)
Aconitum columbianum, Black Powder Pass, Summit Co. 4346
Aconitum columbianum, Gore Pass, Grand Co. 2002/2014
Aconitum columbianum, Peak 7 Breckenridge, Summit Co. 8185
Aconitum columbianum, Black Powder Pass, Summit Co. 4353
Aconitum columbianum, Mayflower Gulch, Summit Co. 4788
Aconitum columbianum, Black Powder Pass, Summit Co. 1373
Aconitum columbianum, Mayflower Gulch, Summit Co. 6727
Leaf, Aconitum columbianum, Booth Falls Trail, Eagle Co. 4350
| Scientific Name | Aconitum columbianum | USDA PLANTS Symbol | ACCO4 |
| Common Name | Monk's Hood | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 18416 |
| Family | Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Foothills to subalpine (7200 to 12500 ft); moist areas in woodlands, meadows, wetlands, streamsides. Plant: Erect perennial 1 to 5 feet tall, usually single, flexible and smooth stems. Leaves: Up to 6 inches across, deeply divided into 3 to 5 jagged, toothed lobes, becoming smaller and fewer lobes upward; smooth to finely pubescent. Subspecies columbianum has no bulblets at the leaf/stem axils; whereas ssp. viviparum does. Inflorescence: Deep purple flowers in open raceme (spike), each with showy sepals; petals hidden under the upper "hood" sepal. Bloom Period: June to August. References: "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel, "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Jepson eFlora, and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains