Aconitum sanyoense

Japanese name: サンヨウブシ （山陽附子）
Scientific name: Aconitum sanyoense

[Overview]
A member of the Torikabuto group, a pseudo-annual 0.6–2 m tall, often found in moist places such as inside temperate forests or along streams at forest edges.
The stem usually rises obliquely, branches well, and droops at the tip.
There are basal leaves and stem leaves; the basal leaves sometimes have withered by flowering time.
The stem leaves are alternate, reniform-rounded, 7–21 cm long and 8–22 cm wide, palmately divided into 5–7 lobes.
The margins of the leaf lobes have coarse teeth or are notched.
No bulbils form in the leaf axils.
A raceme or panicle about 5–22 cm long bears 1–15 flowers that are bluish purple, or reddish purple, or cream to white.
The 5 sepals are petal-like, and the uppermost one is shaped like a helmet.
The helmet is mitre-shaped, with a long beak.
The petals are inside the helmet and have a thick, long spur.
The spur bends through more than 180 degrees.
The stamens are hairy.
The flower stalks are hairless.
The fruit is a follicle, ascending obliquely.

[Notes]
The Japanese name comes from the fact that it was discovered in the San'yo region (Okayama).

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