Larkspur
Delphinium glaucum
Common Names
Mountain larkspur
Sierra larkspur
Glaucous larkspur
Giant larkspur
Brown’s larkspur
Hooker’s larkspur
Duncecap larkspur
Tower larkspur
Western larkspur
Synonyms
Delphinium scopulorum
Delphinium brownii
Delphinium cucullatum
Delphinium occidentale ssp. cucullatum
Delphinium scopulorum var. glaucum
Subspecies
none
Genus: Delphinium
Family: Ranunculaceae
Order: Ranunculales
Full Classification
Duration – Growth Habit
Perennial – Forb/herb
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Identification and Information
Flower: Purple, bell-shaped, 5 spurred petals
Leaves: Long, narrow, green, 5 lobed leaves
Root: Woody
Larkspur is a tall, single stem flowering plant that grows 3-6 ft (0.9-1.8 m) in height. The stem is a densely flowered inflorescence containing a few to over 50 flowers. Similar in look to monkshood, but without the hood. The hollow stem is often purplish in color. The leaves are green, toothed, narrow, and long and packed most densely at the base, getting smaller and fewer higher up. The spurred flowers are long, conical or bell-shaped, and purple or blue-purple.
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Uses
For information only (typically historical) – I take no responsibility for adverse effects from the use of any plant.
The entire plant is highly poisonous, especially the seeds. Can be fatal to humans and animals.
There are no edible or medicinal uses for larkspur. Delphinium glaucum has been known to kill, causing neuromuscular paralysis in cattle and sometimes sheep or horses in western states as it is incredibly toxic, especially before maturity. The seeds are among the most toxic part of the plant. Parasiticides have been made from the leaves of a variety of plants in the Delphinium genus, which could be used only externally.
Distribution and Habitat
Delphinium glaucum is native to Alaska and the majority of the western US and Canada. Larkspur is frequently found in meadows and lightly wooded areas with deep, moist soil.
Classification
| Rank | Scientific Name (Common Name) |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae (plantes, Planta, Vegetal, plants) |
| Subkingdom | Viridiplantae (green plants) |
| Infrakingdom | Streptophyta (land plants) |
| Superdivision | Embryophyta |
| Division | Tracheophyta (vascular plants, tracheophytes) |
| Subdivision | Spermatophytina (spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder | Ranunculanae |
| Order | Ranunculales |
| Family | Ranunculaceae (buttercups, boutons d’or, crowfoot) |
| Genus | Delphinium L. (larkspur) |
| Species | Delphinium glaucum S. Watson (tower larkspur, mountain larkspur, Sierra larkspur) |
References and Further Reading
Guidebook
Field Guide to Alaskan Wildflowers, Pratt, Verna E. pg 7
Classification and Taxonomy
D. glaucum S. Watson Taxonomic Serial No.: 18458, ITIS database
D. glaucum S. Watson, Sierra larkspur, USDA Database
Uses
Larkspur (Delphinium spp.), USDA Poisonous Plant Research
Map and Distribution
D. glaucum S.Watson, GBIF
Description and Information
D. glaucum, Wildflower.org Plant Database
7. D. glaucum S. Watson, Bot. California. 2: 427. 1880., Flora of North America; www.eFloras.org
