Okutorikabuto

Aconitum japonicum subsp. subcuneatum

Flower name
Okutorikabuto
Scientific name
Aconitum japonicum subsp. subcuneatum
Alias奥鳥
Place of originJapan, Korea, China
Place of floweringHigh mountain, Low mountains
Flowering seasonAugust, September

What is Okutorikabuto

Okutorikabuto (Aconitum japonicum subsp. subcuneatum), also known as Aizu Torikabuto (Aizu Monkshood), is a subspecies of Yamatorikabuto (Aconitum japonicum subsp. japonicum), a plant endemic to Japan in the family Ranunculaceae.

It naturally occurs in the grasslands and forests of lowlands to alpine areas along the Sea of Japan from the Tohoku region to Hokkaido. The plant grows to a height of 60–200 cm. Its green leaves are kidney-shaped and divided into 5–7 lobes. The inflorescence is conical, and the flowers are insect-pollinated. Note: This plant is toxic.

Etymology of the Name Okutorikabuto
The specific epithet japonicum means "of Japan." The subspecies name subcuneatum is derived from the Latin words sub ("slightly") and cuneatum ("wedge-shaped").

Related Species
Okutorikabuto (Aconitum japonicum subsp. subcuneatum)
Ozetorikabuto (Aconitum sachalinense), a variant of Okutorikabuto