Aconitum luridum J. D. Hooker & Thomson (1855), not Salisbury (1796, nom. illeg., included A. variegatum Linnaeus).

Rhizome ca. 15 cm. Stem to 80 cm, simple, retrorse pubescent. Basal leaves ca. 2, and proximal cauline leaves long petiolate; petiole 19--23 cm; leaf blade reniform, ca. 6 × 10 cm, both surfaces sparsely appressed pubescent, 3-parted; central lobe cuneate-rhombic, 3-fid, each lobe 2- or 3-lobulate, with several ovate teeth; lateral lobes obliquely flabellate, unequally 2-lobed. Inflorescence terminal, ca. 30 cm, many flowered; rachis and pedicels densely spreading yellowish pubescent; proximal bracts 3-fid, others narrowly lanceolate to linear, 5--7 mm. Proximal pedicels 1--4 cm, others 1--7 mm, with 2 bracteoles at base; bracteoles ovate to linear, 0.6--4 mm. Sepals purplish, densely spreading pubescent; lower sepals 0.7--0.9 cm; lateral sepals 1--1.3 cm; upper sepal high galeate, 7--9 mm high, long beaked, lower margin 1.1--1.5 cm. Petaline lip linear, conspicuous. Stamens glabrous; filaments entire. Carpels 3(--5), base and abaxial suture sparsely pubescent. Follicles 1--1.2 cm. Seeds ellipsoid, to 3 mm. Fl. Jul--Aug, fr. Sep. 2n = 16.

Forest margins; 3800--4500 m. SE Xizang [Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim].