Aconitum rotundifolium Kar. & Kir.

Caudices in pairs, ca. 2 cm. Stem 15--42 cm tall, simple or branched, sparsely retrorse and appressed pubescent. Proximal cauline leaves 3 or 4, long petiolate; petiole 4.2--20 cm, retrorse pubescent, base sheathed; leaf blade orbicular-reniform, 2--5.8 × 3--6.5 cm, both surfaces glabrous or veins and leaves pubescent at margin, 3-parted; central lobe obtrapezoid, 3-fid, lobes several ovate-lobulate or orbicular-dentate; lateral lobes flabellate, unequally 3-fid slightly beyond middle. Inflorescence 3--5-flowered; rachis and pedicels appressed or spreading pubescent; proximal bracts leaflike or 3-fid, others linear, ca. 1.1 × 0.2 cm. Pedicels 2.5--7 mm, with 2 bracteoles at or above middle; bracteoles linear, 5--7 × ca. 0.6 mm. Sepals purplish, abaxially pubescent; lower sepals ca. 1.1 cm; lateral sepals obliquely obovate, 1.3--1.6 cm; upper sepal falcate or navicular-falcate, lower margin 1.4--1.8 cm. Petals glabrous; limb very short, 1--5 mm, lower part 2-fid; spur slightly curved, headlike. Stamens sparsely pubescent; filaments entire. Carpels 5, densely white pubescent. Follicles 0.9--1.3 cm. Seeds obovate, 2.5--3 mm. Fl. Aug.

It grows naturally on stony slopes in the alpine and sub-alpine zone in Western Asia. It grows in alpine grassland in western China at 3,100 m above sea level.

Caution: The plant is poisonous. It contains 2 alkaloids. It has been reported that leaves are eaten after cooking.

Plants can be grown from seed or by division of clumps.