Delphinium scopulorum A.Gray

Stem Characteristics

Delphinium scopulorum has stems 50–120 cm long. The stem base is reddish and puberulent, while the mid-stem is glabrous to subglabrous.

Leaf Blade Features

Leaf blades are round to pentagonal, measuring 1.5–10 cm by 2–16 cm, and are glabrous. Most leaves grow on the proximal third of the stem; leaf petioles reach around 15 cm long.

Leaf Division

Leaves are strongly lobed and palmately divided.

Inflorescence Structure

The inflorescence is an open, elongated cylindric raceme. Bracteoles are linear, green, and measure 2–7 mm long.

Flower Segment Features

Flower segments are deeply 5–7 lobed with cuneate divisions that have 3–7 teeth; the central segment of each division is prominent.

Sepal Characteristics

Sepals range from light to dark violet-purple, are glabrous, and lateral sepals point forward.

Upper Petal Features

Upper petals are notched and purple-tipped.

Lower Petal Features

Lower petal blades cover the stamens, have sparse hairs, and are centered below the junction of the blade and claw. A large spur grows behind each flower.

Fruit Characteristics

Fruits are glabrous, around 16–20 mm long, and about 4.5 times longer than they are wide.

Seed Characteristics

Seeds are black to brown, rectangular to pyramidal, and have winged margins.

Pollinator Attraction

This species attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Distribution Range

Delphinium scopulorum is found in a North American floral region, specifically in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Arizona.

Growth Form

It grows as a forb or herb.

Wetland Indicator Status

It is native to the contiguous United States, has a National Wetland Indicator Status of FAC, and a Regional Wetland Indicator Status of 7(FAC).

Cattle Toxicity Note

According to the Canadian Department of Agriculture, this larkspur is poisonous to cattle in the western prairies of Canada.

Ranching Management Practice

Because larkspur commonly grows at high-elevation locations, many ranchers wait until late summer to move cattle into these areas, when toxicity has decreased.

Toxicity Effects

Delphinium scopulorum is toxic enough that death can occur within a few hours of ingestion, caused by neuromuscular blocking and cardiotoxic effects.