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Feature

PLANT HEIGHT: 31 - 47"
perennial ornamental flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae
flower from late spring to late summer
pollinated by butterflies and bumble bees
All parts of these plants are considered toxic to humans

Description

Delphinium ajacis; delbine; larkspur; poisonweed In June and July (Northern Hemisphere), the plant is topped with a raceme of many flowers, varying in color from purple and blue, to red, yellow, or white. In most species each flower consists of five petal-like sepals which grow together to form a hollow pocket with a spur at the end, which gives the plant its name, usually more or less dark blue. Within the sepals are four true petals, small, inconspicuous, and commonly colored similarly to the sepals. The eponymous long spur of the upper sepal encloses the nectar-containing spurs of the two upper petals. The seeds are small and often shiny black. The plants flower from late spring to late summer, and are pollinated by butterflies and bumble bees. Despite the toxicity, Delphinium species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including the dot moth and small angle shades. Numerous cultivars have been selected as garden plants, and for cut flowers and floristry. They are available in shades of white, pink, purple, and blue. The blooming plant is also used in displays and specialist competitions at flower and garden shows, such as the Chelsea Flower Show. All parts of the plant contain various diterpenoid alkaloids, typified by methyllycaconitine, so are very poisonous. The juice of the flowers, particularly D. consolida, mixed with alum, gives a blue ink.