've handled monkshood, with absolutely no ill effect. I do not think monkshood is dangerous to touch at all. I think the story being referred to is baloney. It reeked of tabloid hysteria to me when I first heard it.
I got some to plant but haven't made my mind up yet, I have look up this story on the web apparently it took ten day days for the poor chap to die, I read else where it takes hours not days to be fatal.
I have mine at the backs of borders where only I ever go and I do always wear gloves when weeding and pruning or lifting and dividing. it's a lovely plant in all its forms. You just have to be sensible and careful and not plant it where kids can reach it.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
and you have to remember that some people have sensitivity to things that most don't have. Most of us gardeners have been stung by bees or wasps at some time. a small number of people die of that, most do not.
I still say that everyone with this plant in their garden should be made aware of what it can do to them. I think in this case ignorance is definitely not bliss!
The scaremongers were on the radio again yesterday with this story. There's more chance you'll die in a plane crash or be hit by a bus. I've seen children who are terrified of butterflies because of their parents neurotic reactions to everything natural. How sad is that?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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On the News report last night 24/6/2015 a man died from contacting a Monks Hood plant
Have a read of this.
http://www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/blog2/blog250615.htm
I got some to plant but haven't made my mind up yet, I have look up this story on the web apparently it took ten day days for the poor chap to die, I read else where it takes hours not days to be fatal.
Now where to plant that aconite
I have mine at the backs of borders where only I ever go and I do always wear gloves when weeding and pruning or lifting and dividing. it's a lovely plant in all its forms. You just have to be sensible and careful and not plant it where kids can reach it.
I agree obelixx I think it is a lovely plant but I keep it in one place in the garden and at the back of the border.
there are lots of dangers in the garden, just like the golf course, the sea, the gym.........
A A Milne
and you have to remember that some people have sensitivity to things that most don't have. Most of us gardeners have been stung by bees or wasps at some time. a small number of people die of that, most do not.
In the sticks near Peterborough
for gods sake stop panicking.
My daughter would die if she ate a peanut , but nobody is suggesting we ban them.
Get a sense of perspective.
It's a tragic accident but one person in how many millions who have handled aconitum?
The scaremongers were on the radio again yesterday with this story. There's more chance you'll die in a plane crash or be hit by a bus. I've seen children who are terrified of butterflies because of their parents neurotic reactions to everything natural. How sad is that?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...