Aconitum barbatum Pers.

Rhizome suberect, terete, to 15 cm, ca. 8 mm in diam. Stem 55--90 cm tall, below inflorescence branched, basally sparsely spreading pubescent, apically retrorse and appressed pubescent, 2--4-leaved. Basal leaves and proximal cauline leaves long petiolate; petiole 13--30 cm, spreading pubescent, base sheathed; leaf blade reniform or orbicular-reniform, 4--8.5 × 7--20 cm, abaxially villous, adaxially sparsely pubescent, 3-sect; central segment broadly rhombic, 3-parted nearly to midvein; lateral segments obliquely flabellate, unequally 2-fid. Inflorescence terminal, 13--20 cm, densely flowered; rachis and pedicels densely appressed pubescent; proximal bracts narrowly linear, 4.5--7.5 mm, middle ones lanceolate-subulate, ca. 2.5 mm, distal ones triangular, 1--1.5 mm, pubescent. Pedicels 0.2--1 cm, with 2 bracteoles near middle; bracteoles narrowly triangular, 1.2--1.5 mm. Sepals yellow, abaxially densely pubescent; lower sepals ca. 6 mm; lateral sepals ca. 7 mm; upper sepal erect, cylindric, 1.3--1.7 cm high, ca. 3.8 mm in diam., lower margin suberect, 1--1.2 cm. Petals glabrous; lip linear, ca. 2.5 mm; spur erect or slightly curved, slightly shorter than lip. Stamens glabrous or pubescent; filaments entire. Carpels 3. Follicles ca. 1 cm, sparsely appressed pubescent. Seeds brown, obovate, ca. 2.5 mm. Fl. Jul--Aug. 2n = 16.

Gansu, N and W Hebei, Heilongjiang, W Henan, Jilin, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Xinjiang [Russia (Far East, Siberia)].

Grassy slopes, forests, wet places; 400--2700 m.