Aconitum napellus subsp. lusitanicum

Aconitum napellus subsp. lusitanicum, a subspecies of the blue Monkshood, belongs to the family of Ranunculaceae and is a remarkable and highly toxic plant that is at home in the mountainous regions of southern Europe, especially on the Iberian Peninsula. This plant has not only botanical, but also pharmacological interest due to its potent toxin aconitin, which is present in all parts of the plant. This subspecies differs from the further widespread nominate shape aconitum napellus by some morphological features and their specific habitat.

Morphology

Aconitum napellus subsp. lusitanicum is a herbaceous plant that can reach a height of 50 to 150 cm. Like all representatives of the genus Aconitum, it has upright, unexpected stems, which are occupied with lanceolate, deeply cut leaves. These leaves are dark green, deeply lobed and alternated, which gives the plant a farn -like look. The leaves are characteristic of the genus and serve as an important distinguishing feature to other closely related species.

The most striking features of the plant are their bright blue to purple flowers that appear in torture inflorescences of up to 30 cm in length. The flowers are zygomorph, that is, they have a bilateral symmetry, and have the helmet form typical of the genus. This flower shape gives the plant the german name "Eisenhut" in a popular saying because it is reminiscent of a medieval knight's helmet. Each flower consists of five sepcepherds, the top of which forms the striking helmet -like structure. The actual crown leaves, which are converted into nectar leaves, are located within the flower and serve the pollinators as a source of food.

Distribution and habitat

This subspecies is limited to the mountain regions of the Iberian Peninsula, especially in northern Portugal and northwesternspania. It prefers damp, nutrient -rich soils in cool, mountainous regions and often grows on forest edges, on damp meadows and in gorges. The habitat of this plant is usually limited to altitudes between 800 and 2000 meters, where it blooms in summer and forms seeds. Due to its ecological preferences, the plant is at risk in certain regions because changes in land use and climate change threaten their natural habitats.

Toxicity and chemical composition

As with all types of genus Aconitum, Aconitum napellus subsp. lusitanicum the strong toxic alkaloid aconite. This poison is contained in all parts of the plant, especially in the roots and seeds, and is one of the fastest -acting vegetable poisons. Aconitin acts on the sodium channels of the nerve cells and leads to an uncontrolled overheating of the nervous system, which can lead to symptoms such as deafness, tingling, vomiting, shortness of breath and finally cardiac arrhythmias and breathing paralysis. Even small amounts of the plant can be fatal, which makes it one of the most poisonous plants in Europe.

Particular caution is required when handling this plant, since the poison can also be absorbed by the skin. A fatal dose can already be achieved by eating a few grams of the roots or seeds. There is no specific antidote against aconitine poisoning, and treatment is limited to the relief of symptoms and supportive measures such as stabilizing the heart and breathing function.

Ecological role and pollination

Despite its toxicity, Aconitum napellus subsp. lusitanicum an important role in your ecosystem. The plant is mainly dusted by bumblebees, which are able to visit the heavy flowers due to its robust height and reach the nectar. The pollination is carried out by a mechanism in which the bumblebee presses the held -like structure of the flower down to get to the nectar while pollen is transferred to your body. This ensures that the foreign pollination, since bumblebees visit several plants in search of food.

Use and cultural history

In the past, the iron hat was used in traditional medicine, in particular as a painstilling and anti -inflammatory agent, although the extreme toxicity of the plant largely prevents this today. The plant was already known in ancient times and was used by the Romans as an arrow poison. Due to its potential danger and the difficulty of precisely controlling the dose, medical use is severely restricted today. In homeopathic means, Eisenhut is still used in a strongly diluted form, taking care that there are no toxic quantities.