monks hood crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're looking for solutions to the clue "monks hood" in your crossword puzzle, you've come to the right place. We provide quick and accurate answers, along with helpful explanations to boost your crossword-solving skills.
Solutions for "monks hood crossword" by Letter Count
7 Letters
ACONITE: A common name for the highly poisonous flowering plant from the genus Aconitum, known for its helmet or hood-shaped flowers that resemble a monk's cowl.
8 Letters
ACONITUM: The botanical genus name for plants commonly referred to as monk's hood or wolfsbane. This scientific term directly identifies the plant.
9 Letters
WOLFSBANE: Another widely used common name for the Aconitum plant, emphasizing its historical use as a poison, particularly for wolves. It shares the distinctive hooded flower feature with 'monk's hood'.
More About "monks hood crossword"
The term "monk's hood" refers to several species within the Aconitum genus, particularly Aconitum napellus. These striking perennial plants are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, often found in mountain meadows. Their distinctive flowers, which are typically blue, purple, or white, have a large helmet-like sepal that covers the reproductive parts, giving them their characteristic hood-like appearance.
Despite their beauty, monk's hood plants are notoriously toxic. All parts of the plant, especially the roots, contain potent alkaloids such as aconitine, which can be fatal if ingested and even cause severe irritation through skin contact. Historically, they were used as poisons on arrow tips or in various concoctions. In crosswords, clues like "monk's hood" are popular because they allow for multiple, equally valid answers depending on the required letter count and the specific nuance (common name vs. scientific name vs. alternative common name).
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Synonyms and Common Names: For botanical clues like "monk's hood," think beyond the obvious. Plants often have multiple common names (e.g., Aconite, Wolfsbane) or their scientific genus names (Aconitum) can be answers.
- Check Word Length: The number of letters in the answer is your biggest hint. Always check the required length and see which of the possible synonyms or related terms fits.
- Look at Intersecting Clues: If you're unsure, solve intersecting clues first. The letters from solved words will often reveal parts of the "monk's hood" answer, making it easier to deduce the full word.
- Think Beyond the Literal: Sometimes, clues can refer to a characteristic or a part of the object. While "monk's hood" refers to the plant, if it were just "hood," COWL might be an answer. Always consider the core meaning.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a 'monk's hood' in the context of plants?
A 'monk's hood' refers to a genus of perennial flowering plants called Aconitum. They are characterized by their tall spikes of helmet-shaped flowers, which resemble the hood or cowl worn by a monk. These plants are known for their striking appearance but are also highly poisonous.
Is the 'monk's hood' plant poisonous?
Yes, all parts of the monk's hood plant (Aconitum) are extremely poisonous. They contain potent neurotoxins and cardiotoxins, and even skin contact can cause numbness or tingling. Ingestion can be fatal, making it one of the most toxic plants in temperate regions.
Why is 'monk's hood' a common crossword clue?
'Monk's hood' is a popular crossword clue because it has several well-known alternative names (like ACONITE or WOLFSBANE) and a distinctive visual characteristic (the hood-shaped flower). This allows constructors to use it for various letter counts and provides solvers with multiple angles for deduction, testing their knowledge of botanical terms and common plant names.