Aconitum firmum explained

Aconitum firmum (Polish: tojad mocny, Czech: oměj tuhý, Ukrainian: Аконіт міцний, Romanized: Akonіt mіtzniy) is a species of monkshood that is found in Southern Poland, Slovakia, and Czechia, with a few instances in Ukraine and Romania.^{[1] [2]}

Appearance

Aconitum firmum has indigo flowers that are about 2 centimeters big, and can grow up to around 40 centimeters tall.^[3]

Toxicity

Like all monkshoods, Aconitum firmum is highly poisonous. All parts of the plant, with the highest concentration being in the roots and seeds, contain aconitine, which is a potent nerve poison.

Conservation

In Poland, Aconitum firmum is a protected species, along with all other monkshood species in Poland. The subspecies A. firmum subsp. moravicum is recognized as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List,^[4] although A. firmum itself has not been evaluated by the IUCN.^[5]

Taxonomy

Name

Aconitum firmum was named by Ludwig Reichenbach. The species name firmum comes from the inflection of the Latin word firmus, meaning stable and firm.^[6] The Czech, Polish, and Ukrainian common names reflect on this and can be literally translated to "strong aconite".

Subspecies

Aconitum firmum is divided into 6 subspecies and 1 variety^[7] which are:

• Aconitum firmum subsp. bucovinense (Zapal.) Aschers. & Graebn.
• Aconitum firmum subsp. firmum
• Aconitum firmum subsp. maninense (Skalický) Starm.
• Aconitum firmum subsp. moravicum V.Skalick
• Aconitum firmum subsp. paxii Starm.
• Aconitum firmum subsp. zapalowiczii Starm.
• Aconitum firmum var. portae-ferratae Starm. & Mitka

Notes and References

1. Web site: Search. www.gbif.org. en. 2020-05-06.
2. Web site: Aconitum firmum Rchb. Plants of the World Online Kew Science . Plants of the World Online . 6 May 2020.
3. Web site: Occurrence Detail 1933386570. www.gbif.org. en. 2020-05-06.
4. Web site: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Moravian monkshood. Sciences). Viera Ferakova (Slovak Academy of. Agriculture). Pavol Eliáš (Slovak University of. 2011-03-28. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020-05-19. Iva Hodálová (Institute of Botany. Slovak Academy of Sciences). List). Pavol Mereďa (Slovak Plant Red. Zbigniew Mirek (W. Szafer Institute of Botany. Poland). Halina Piękoś-Mirkowa (W. Szafer Institute of Botany. Poland).
5. Web site: Aconitum firmum - Rchb.. eunis.eea.europa.eu. 2020-05-19.
6. Book: Stearn, William . Botanical Latin . Timber Press . Portland, Oregon, US . 2004 . 978-08819-26279 . 412 .
7. Web site: Catalogue of Life : Aconitum firmum Rchb.. www.catalogueoflife.org. 2020-05-06.