Aconitum ludlowii Exell

Caudex subterete or narrowly obconical, 6--8 cm, 0.7--1.5 cm in diam. Stem (0.6--)1--1.5 m, simple or branched, glabrous, or only near inflorescence retrorse pubescent, with distal leaves crowded. Proximal cauline leaves withered at anthesis, long petiolate; petiole to 8 cm, distal leaves shortly petiolate; leaf blade suborbicular, to 7 × 8 cm, both surfaces glabrous or nearly so, base broadly cordate, 3-sect; segments dissected; ultimate lobes linear. Inflorescence 10--15 cm, 15--20-flowered; rachis and pedicels densely retrorse and appressed pubescent; proximal bracts leaflike, others linear. Proximal pedicels 4--8 mm, distal ones to 2 mm, distally with 2 bracteoles, linear, 3.5--4.5 × ca. 0.7 mm. Sepals blue, abaxially pubescent; lower sepals narrowly oblong, ca. 1.2 cm; lateral sepals ca. 1.5 cm; upper sepal falcate, ca. 1.5 cm from base to beak. Petals arciform-curved, glabrous; limb ca. 6.5 mm; lip ca. 3 mm; spur incurved, ca. 1 mm. Stamens pubescent; filaments subentire. Carpels 5, glabrous. Follicles 1.4--1.7 cm. Seeds ca. 3.5 mm. Fl. and fr. Jul.

Xizang (Gyangzê Xian).

* By streams; ca. 4000 m.