Tall Larkspur Delphinium exaltatum
- Phonetic Spelling
- del-FIN-ee-um eks-all-TAY-tum
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Tall larkspur is a herbaceous perennial in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family that is native to the central and eastern USA. In NC it is found mostly in the mountains in clearings or the edge of woodlands. The genus name Delphinium comes from the Greek word delphis or dolphin a nod to the shape of the flower bud and the species name exaltatum means tall. The common name larkspur references the shape of one of the back petals of the flower, an elongated nectary, resembling the shape of a lark's claw.
This plant grows up to 6 feet tall and grows from rhizomes. It prefers cool summers and doesn't do well in high humidity. Plant in fertile moist well-drained soils in full sun. It locations with hot summers, it appreciates some afternoon shade.
The tall flowering stem has many blue to purple and occasionally white flowers in clusters from July to Sept. that attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. This delphinium blooms later and has more lush foliage than other members of the genus.
Use in a cottage garden, borders or native gardens. Looks great in groups or mass planted.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: Slugs and snails, aphids, leafminers, stem borers, and spider mites are occasional insect pests. Diseases are powdery mildew, botrytis blight, leaf spots, and crown rot. Staking may be required for taller plants.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Delphinium
- Species:
- exaltatum
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North Central & Eastern Central U.S.A
- Distribution:
- AL , KY , MD , ME , MO , NC , OH , PA , TN , VA , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
- Edibility:
- Poisonous
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Description:
- 3-sectioned follicle containing numerous dark brown seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Description:
- Dense, narrow cluster of numerous lavender-blue flowers and occasionally white flowers on the terminal stem. 5 petal-like sepals with one curved backward to create a spur and 4 smaller petals. The 2 lower petals may have whitish hairs. Blooms July to Sept.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Rhomboidal
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The lower stem leaves are on long stalks and divided into 5 parts, with each part having 3 to 7 lobes. These leaves are roundish in shape. The mid-stem leaves have fewer lobes and shorter stalks. There are no leaves in the upper 1/5 of the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Round, somewhat fleshy, green stems with hairs. May require staking.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Burning of lips and mouth, numbness of throat; intense vomiting and diarrhea, muscular weakness and spasms, weak pulse, paralysis of the respiratory system, convulsions; may be fatal if eaten. Unless there is a lack of suitable forage, horses typically do not consume toxic amounts of larkspur. The toxicity of the plant may vary depending on seasonal changes and field conditions; as the plant matures, it generally becomes less toxic. Clinical effects include constipation, colic, increased salivation, stiffness, weakness, recumbency, and convulsions. Cardiac failure may occur, as can death from respiratory paralysis.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Alkaloids delphinine, ajacine, and others.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Seeds
- Stems
