Aconitum balfourii Stapf: A rare medicinal herb from Himalayan Alpine

Poisonous Plants of the Indian Himalaya: An Overview

“…Aconitum lethale (Balfour's Monkshood, Ranunculaceae) is an erect glabrous herb, whose main distribution is in Himalayan region. Aconitine, pseudoaconitine [43], balfourine [44,45], norditerpenoid alkaloids [46] are some active compounds found in this species. The whole plant is reported as toxic for humans and other animals.…”

A Review Article on Ayurvedic/ Herbal Plant “Aruna” (Aconitum Heterophyllum).

“…Marphology of Aconitum Hetrophyllum:-Roots of Aconitum hetrophyllum is paired whitesh grey in colour 2.0-7.5 cm long, 0.4-1.6 cm or more thick at its upper extremity decreasing in thickness towards tapering end. 6 Stems of aconitum hetrophyllum are simple and branched 15-20 cm hight green in colour. It is a tree which has flowers from august to September.…”

“…ex. Royal, a perennial herb, native of western Himalayas and found in Kashmir, Uttarakhand Sikkim and Nepal at altitude between 2,500-4,000 m. 5,6 Its mostly species are highly toxic in nature Its several species also known as devil"s helmet, Queen of all Poisons, or blue rocket. 4 In ancient time it were used for hunting spike so it must need to deal with carefully.…”

“…The upper parts of the leaves are amplexicaul and lowest parts of leaves are long petioles, It"s have a spiral (alternate) arrangements. 6,1 Infinitesimal Characters:-Transverse section of mature root shows, single layered epidermis consisting of light brown tabular cells rupturing on formation of cork It consists of 5-10 rows of tangentially elongated, thin-walled cells, cork cambium single layered consisting of tangentially elongated, thin-walled cells, cortex much wider consisting of tangentially elongated or rounded, thin-walled parenchymatous cells with intercellular spaces, cells. 6 The structure of the root tubers of A. heterophyllum irregular and different from other species of aconitum the tubers have 4-6 "vascular stands".…”