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Native Plant Database

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Delphinium tricorne (Dwarf larkspur)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Delphinium tricorne Michx.

Dwarf larkspur, Spring larkspur

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

USDA Symbol: detr

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Finely cut, palmately lobed leaves and loose clusters of spurred, blue or white flowers characterize this 12-30 in. perennial. An open cluster of blue or violet, spurred flowers atop an unbranched, fleshy stem with deeply cleft leaves.

The species name refers to the three horn-like fruit pods. The flower structure is similar to that of Rocket Larkspur (Consolida ajacis), which is often cultivated in gardens and may escape to roadsides and waste places; it has only one pistil. Spring Larkspur is the most frequently seen species of Delphinium east of the Plains states. Tall Larkspur (D. exaltatum) reaches a height of 6 (1.8 m) and is leafier, with more flowers; it occurs from Ohio and Pennsylvania south to North Carolina and Tennessee, and in Missouri.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , DC , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MD , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , VA , WV
Native Distribution: PA to IA, s. to GA, AL, AR & e. OK
Native Habitat: Moist woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Soil Description: Rich, moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed or division.
Seed Collection: Seeds are formed dry in a pod, which call for close observation in order to collect seeds before they are thrown out.
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV
Enchanter's Garden - Hinton, WV
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA

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:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE

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 page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Delphinium tricorne in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Delphinium tricorne in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Delphinium tricorne

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-11-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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