Delphinium
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- del-FIN-ee-um
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The native species of larkspurs are both annuals and perennials; they return from seed or perennial rootstocks every year, and are much better for warm gardens than the hybrid Delphiniums. Weedy in disturbed areas in woods, fields, gardens. Some native species are found in forest or natural areas in rich woods and in mountains.
Herbaceous annual or perennial. Leaves alternate, long-stalked, palmately divided or lobed. Flowers in terminal, elongated clusters, blue to purple or nearly white, with a single spur on the back side. Fruit dry and many seeded.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Flowers Galore
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Delphinium
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Temp. & Subtropical Old World, North America
- Distribution:
- Throughout; garden ornamentals
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Drought tolerant
- Edibility:
- Poisonous
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
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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 pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit dry, many seeded
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Flowers in terminal, elongated clusters, blue to purple or nearly white, with a single spur on the back side
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves alternate, long-stalked, palmately divided or lobed
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- 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. 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, 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
