Monkshood (Noun)
Meaning
A poisonous herb native to northern Europe having hooded blue-purple flowers; the dried leaves and roots yield aconite.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- Monkshood is one of the most toxic plants in the Western world, and its aconite has been used as a poison for centuries.
- The hike leader warned the group to avoid touching the monkshood that grew along the mountain trail.
- Historically, monkshood has been used in folk medicine, although its toxicity makes it a potentially deadly remedy.
- Monkshood flowers are an attractive addition to the garden, but the plant requires careful handling due to its poisonous properties.
- In the Middle Ages, monkshood was often used to poison wolves and other predators, earning it the nickname "wolf's bane".