Prairie Larkspur

Delphinium virescens Nutt.

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

▲ mature, flowering plant

▲ base of stem

▲ stem with leaves

▲ single leaf

▲▼ flowers

Larkspurs:  (pp. 502-503 in Weeds of the Great Plains; not in Weeds of the Northeast)

·         Annual (rocket larkspur), biennial (prairie larkspur) or simple perennial (dwarf larkspur) native prairie plants in the Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family, found in moist, well-drained fertile soils

·         Form a rosette of deeply divided roundish leaves during the first year, then slender upright flowering stalks with a few leaves and showy flowers scattered along the stem in late spring to early summer

·         Flowers have an upcurved spur on their back side (like delphiniums – named for the dolphin nose-like spur)

·         Are toxic to livestock if consumed (especially toxic to cattle)