What Is Wolfsbane?

Habitat

• Look for wolfsbane in wooded areas with moist conditions. This means the plant is often found along stream beds. The plant has also been cultivated as a landscape plant and as an Asian herbal remedy. It may be found in some gardens.

Plant Traits

• Plants grow to heights of as much as 3 feet and feature dark green leaves and white or blue flowers. The shape of the flowers is similar to a coat hood, giving the plant one of its common names of the "monkshood." The flowers form oblong seeds after maturing. The plant root is a tuber, which can be transplanted, if desired, in the spring or fall.

Poison Traits

• All portions of the wolfsbane plant are poisonous if consumed. Ingestion commonly yields a burning sensation to the mouth and throat. Depending on the amount ingested, the symptoms advance to nausea, diarrhea and lack of coordination. Advanced symptoms include paralysis of the respiratory system and heart. These symptoms can lead to death. Wolfsbane can be fatal to horses that consume less than 0.1 percent of their body weight. Less severe poisoning can occur through skin exposure to the plant.

Treatment

• No specific antidote exists for wolfbane. Patients may have their stomachs pumped or have laxatives administered to reduce the volume of the wolfbane in their system. Other treatments include the replacement of body fluids by intravenous liquids.