Northern Monkshood

The northern monkshood is a threatened species. Threatened species are animals and plants that are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. Endangered species are animals and plants that are in danger of becoming extinct. Identifying, protecting, and restoring endangered and threatened species is the primary objective of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceÕs endangered species program.

What is Northern Monkshood?

Scientific Name

Aconitum noveboracense

Appearance

Northern monkshood is noted for its very distinctive, blue hood-shaped flowers. The flowers are about 1 inch in length, and a single stem may have many flowers. Stems range from about 1 to 4 feet in length. The leaves are broad with coarse, toothed lobes.

Range

Northern monkshood has only been found in Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio, and New York.

Habitat

Northern monkshood is typically found on shaded to partially shaded cliffs, algific talus slopes, or on cool, streamside sites. These areas have cool soil conditions, cold air drainage, or cold groundwater flowage. On algific talus slopes, these conditions are caused by the outflow of cool air and water from ice contained in underground fissures. These fissures are connected to sinkholes and are a conduit for the air flows.

Reproduction

Northern monkshood is a perennial and reproduces from both seed and small tubers. The flowers bloom between June and September and are pollinated when bumblebees pry open the blossom to collect nectar and pollen.

Why is the Northern Monkshood Threatened?

Habitat Loss or Degradation

Threats to northern monkshood include contamination and filling of sinkholes, grazing and trampling by livestock, human foot traffic, logging, maintenance of highways and powerlines, misapplication of pesticides, quarrying, and road building.

Collection

Some populations have been adversely affected by scientific collection.

What is Being Done to Prevent Extinction of the Northern Monkshood?

Listing

Northern monkshood was added to the U.S. List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants in 1978.

Recovery Plan

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed a recovery plan that describes actions needed to help the plant survive.

Research

Many northern monkshood populations are being monitored to determine long-term population trends. Genetic studies are being conducted so population differences can be better understood.

Habitat Protection

A variety of government and private conservation agencies are all working to preserve the northern monkshood and its habitat. Voluntary protection agreements have also been made with some private landowners.

What Can I Do to Help Prevent the Extinction of Species?

Learn

Learn more about northern monkshood and other endangered and threatened species. Understand how the destruction of habitat leads to loss of endangered and threatened species and our nation's plant and animal diversity. Tell others about what you have learned.

Write

Write to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or your state conservation agency to learn more about endangered and threatened species and to voice your support.

Join

Join a conservation group; many have local chapters.

How Can I Get More Information?

Call or write to:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Division of Endangered Species
Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building
1 Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111-4056
(612) 725-3276