The Yellow Helm of the Poisoned Wolf

Habit: A perennial plant, 50–120 cm tall, occasionally reaching 180 cm. Stem: Ascending or erect, leafy, often sparsely pubescent above, cylindrical and more or less branched in the inflorescence. Leaves: 15–30 cm wide, with long-petioled basal leaves whose blade is polygonal and palmately divided into 5–7 rhombic, deeply cut segments; stem leaves are sessile and even more deeply incised. Flowers: Arranged in a branched panicle, pale yellow, zygomorphic and finely hairy, characterized by a hood-like upper petal up to 35 mm high, 2–3 times longer than its height. Fruits: Follicles opening longitudinally to release small wrinkled seeds. Flowering: May–August.

Chorological type: Central European / South-European orophyte. Distribution in Italy: Present in all mainland Italian regions except Puglia, Sicily and Sardinia. Habitat: Thickets, submesophilous woods, forest clearings, shaded gorges, screes, subalpine scrub and tall-herb communities, between 300 and 2100 m above sea level.

Generic name (Aconitum): From the Greek akoniton, “that which grows on hard rocks”. Specific name (lycoctonum): From the Greek lykos, “wolf”, and ktonos or related forms meaning “to kill”, hence “wolf-killer”.

This species is classified as medicinal, yet it is extremely toxic and deadly in all its parts, especially in the root, whose poison can penetrate even through simple skin contact. The plant contains alkaloids such as lycoctonitine and myoctonine, substances as dangerous as aconitine. Although in the past it was indicated for the controlled treatment of neuralgia, rheumatism and respiratory complaints, its use today is extremely limited and should be absolutely avoided in domestic contexts. Historically, its juice was used by Germanic peoples to poison arrow tips or meat baits intended for wolves and foxes.