Wrestler, Or Aconite Motley

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Wrestler, or variegated Aconite (lat. Aconitum variegatum) - herbaceous perennial plant from

genus Aconite (lat. Aconite)belonging to

family Buttercup (lat. Ranunculaceae) … In the botanical literature, this species is characterized as the most poisonous plant of the genus Aconite. Even a simple collection of plant leaves can be dangerous to humans, such a large concentration of toxic substances in them. At the same time, the plant is very spectacular, with large carved leaves and paniculate inflorescences with variegated helmet-shaped flowers, which makes it attractive for gardeners. Used for the manufacture of medicines.

Description

Aconite variegated is a herb with a strong erect stem from fifty to one hundred and fifty to two hundred centimeters high. In the upper part, the stem, as a rule, branches and can be naked or pubescent with hairs.

The aboveground part of the plant dies in winter. The perennial of the plant is supported by the rhizome and tubers forming on the roots. In spring, new stems break through from new tubers to the surface of the earth.

Wide basal leaves of a dark green color are located on ten-centimeter strong petioles. The leaf blade has five highly indented segments, giving the leaves an openwork appearance, making them look like palm leaves. Veins are clearly visible on the underside of the leaf plate. Stem leaves are more modest in size and are located on the stem in a spiral. The closer they are to the top, the smaller their size. If for a person the leaves of Aconite variegated pose a threat to health, then some insects feed on the leaves of the plant without any bad consequences for themselves.

The plant is crowned with a paniculate inflorescence formed by flowers with a shape characteristic of plants of the genus. Five light blue or purple (with paler strokes on the main background) flower petals create the image of an ancient knight, covering his "face" with a spectacular helmet (upper petal), very convex and compressed. Below the helmet are two oval-shaped side petals, similar to the flaps of an open seashell, very picturesquely painted by the artist-nature. And even below, two narrow-linear petals stick out, not that, the ties from the helmet, or the short legs of a knight. Helmet-bearing flowers are pollinated most often by wasps and bees, amicably attacking mature flowers in order to feast on nectar, and at the same time to fertilize them.

The result of the growing cycle is the fruit-capsules, which open at full maturity, releasing seeds for a free life. In addition to seed propagation, the vegetative method is also used - by dividing the rhizome.

The favorite habitat of Aconite variegated is the temperate European relief with heights from five hundred to two thousand meters, where plants can be found in the undergrowth or in wet glades.

Poisonous creation of nature

Aconite variegated is the most toxic representative of the genus Aconite, accumulating in its leaves, and not only in them (the highest concentration is noted in the rhizome of the plant), such toxins as: aconitine, mezaconitine and isaconitine, which can block the viability of nerve and muscle cells of the human body.

With skillful dosing of toxins, Aconite variegated turns into a healer of human ailments, which since ancient times has been actively used by oriental folk medicine and Ayurvedic doctors. For example, in traditional Chinese medicine, toxins are used as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory agent.

Modern Western medicine prefers to use other sources to obtain similar drugs, since the effective dose of Aconite variegated toxins is close to the toxic dose, which creates the danger of harming a person, and not relieving him of an illness.