Delphinium cardinale Hook.

Species Classification and Growth Form

Delphinium cardinale Hook. is a perennial herbaceous tall larkspur.

Stem Size

It grows from an erect stem that often reaches over two meters, which is approximately 6 feet, in height.

Leaf Morphology

Its leaves are divided into many narrow lobes.

Inflorescence Structure

The top of the thin stem holds many widely spaced flowers, and each flower grows at the end of a pedicel several centimeters long.

Sepal Characteristics

Each flower has scarlet red sepals that are typically curled forward into a bowl shape.

Petal Characteristics

The petals are also scarlet, with the exception of the top two petals, which are scarlet marked with bright yellow blotches.

Flower Dimensions

The flower, including its spur, may be 3 centimeters wide and 3 centimeters long.

Habitat

This species typically grows on chert or shale talus at the edge of chaparral, or in gaps within chaparral.

Pollination

As indicated by the appearance of its flowers, it is pollinated by hummingbirds.