Venus' Chariot
Aconitum napellus
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Ranunculales
Family
Ranunculaceae
Genus
Aconitum
Venus' Chariot belongs to the family Ranunculaceae, order Ranunculales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Venus' Chariot faces severe population declines due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its native mountain regions. Over-collection for traditional medicine and ornamental purposes has further depleted wild populations, while climate change threatens the cool, moist conditions this alpine species requires.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Mountain meadows, alpine grasslands, and moist woodland edges at elevations between 500-3000m, typically in cool, humid conditions with rich, well-drained soils. Also found along stream banks and in partially shaded areas of subalpine forests.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Venus' Chariot faces severe population declines due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its native mountain regions. Over-collection for traditional medicine and ornamental purposes has further depleted wild populations, while climate change threatens the cool, moist conditions this alpine species requires.
Climate change affecting alpine habitats
Habitat loss from agricultural conversion
Over-harvesting for medicinal and ornamental use
Grazing pressure from livestock
Urban development in mountain valleys
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Venus' Chariot (Aconitum napellus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/venus-chariot