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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Delphinium nuttallianum Pritz. ex Walp.
Delphinium, Two-lobe larkspur, Twolobe larkspur
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
USDA Symbol: denu2
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
An extremely variable delphinium over its wide range. Stems are usually single, 6-30 in. tall and generally unbranched. Leaves are few and mostly basal, 2-4 times lobed into linear segments. Generally only 1 stem with a few leaves, mostly at base, and blue or blue-violet bilateral flowers in one or several open racemes. The flowering spikes are loosely flowered and ascending with white to grayish-blue to deep blue-purple, spurred flowers. The degree of pubescence is the most notable distinction among varieties.
Representative of a host of low larkspur species with blue or blue-violet flowers occurring in many habitats, from dry California grasslands and chaparral to southwestern deserts and high mountaintops. They are difficult to distinguish, and in the West are second only to locoweeds (Astragalus and Oxytropis) as a livestock poison, especially among cattle.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NE , NM , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WYCanada: BC
Native Distribution: S.w. B.C., s., in the Cascade foothills, to CA, e. to Alt., SD, NE, CO & AZ
Native Habitat: Dry foothills, valleys & sagebrush deserts
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, well-drained soils.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: HummingbirdsWarning: Plants of the genus Delphinium contain toxins, and no parts of them should ever be eaten. They can be fatally poisonous to both humans and animals. POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Highly Toxic; May be Fatal if eaten. Symptoms include burning of lips and mouth, numbness of throat; intense vomiting and diarrhea, muscular weakness and spasms, weak pulse, paralysis of the respiratory system, convulsions. Toxic Principle: Alkaloids delphinine, ajacine, and others. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Propagation
Description: Sow fresh seeds in fall for outdoor stratification.Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
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From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Delphinium nuttallianum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Delphinium nuttallianum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Delphinium nuttallianum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2007-01-01Research By: TWC Staff
