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The topic of this article is of a real-life subject that has been mentioned "in-universe" in a canon source. The Harry Potter Wiki is written from the perspective that all information presented in canon is true (e.g., Hogwarts really exists), and, as such, details contained in this article may differ from real world facts. |
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- "As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite."
- —Professor Severus Snape during Harry Potter's first Potions class[src]
Aconite (also known as monkshood or wolfsbane) is a mundane plant with magical properties.[1]
Description

A sprig of Aconite
Once widespread, this plant is now only found in wild places. Its flowers are useful in Potion-making,[1] but its leaves are very toxic. The root of aconite can be used as a potion ingredient. Aconite is most commonly known as an ingredient of Wolfsbane Potion,[4] but it is also an ingredient in Wideye Potion.[2]
History
During the 1988–1989 school year, Fifth year Herbology students were taught about Aconite by Professor Pomona Sprout.[3]
In September 1991, Severus Snape critically interrogated Harry Potter about this plant in his first Potions lesson with him, to see how much he knew about the subject.[1]
Behind the scenes
- There are over 250 species of Aconitum, the most common of which are known as aconite, monkshood, or wolfsbane.
- Aconitum species are highly toxic, although they were used in medicine as a pain-reliever, diuretic, heart sedative, and to induce sweating.[5]
- In medieval Europe, aconite was often used as poison in animal bait.[6] or on arrows used when hunting wolves, hence the herb also became known as wolfsbane.[7]
- Aconite, a member of the buttercup family, was believed to be an important ingredient in witches' flying ointments.[8][9]
- The closed captions for the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone erroneously refers to aconite as "akamite."
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First mentioned)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film) (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game) (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
- Pottermore
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
- Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 8 (The Potions Master)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Pottermore
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 5, Chapter 30 (Into the Vault) - Herbology Lesson "Aconite"
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game) - GBC version
- ↑ Digicoll library
- ↑ Digicoll Library
- ↑ Wolfsbane
- ↑ Herbs
- ↑ Digicoll library
- Articles with information from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
- Articles with information from Pottermore
- Articles with information from Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
- In-universe articles on real subjects
- Articles with information from Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
- Disambiguation
- Articles with information from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- Articles related to werewolves
- Plants
- Poisons
- Potion ingredients