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Weyand, Phyllis

Delphinium glaucum

Delphinium glaucum S. Watson

Sierra Larkspur, Tower Larkspur

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Synonym(s): Delphinium brownii, Delphinium scopulorum, Delphinium scopulorum var. glaucum

USDA Symbol: DEGL3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

Rising from a woody rootstock, the stout, leafy stems of this perennial reach 3-6 feet, or more, in height. Leaves are palmately divided and toothed becoming gradually smaller up the stem. Both the leaves and the stems have a grayish, waxy covering. Densely flowered racemes are up to 16 in. long and are made up of spurred, blue-purple flowers.

From the Image Gallery

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 9 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB
Native Distribution: Mts. from AK to Madera Co., CA, e. to the Rockies
Native Habitat: Wet, subalpine to alpine meadows & stream banks

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Wet or moist soils.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Warning: Plants of the genus Delphinium contain toxins, and no parts of them should ever be eaten. They can be fatally poisonous to both humans and animals. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person�s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant�s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Hummingbirds

Propagation

Description: Sow fresh seeds in fall for outdoor stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:		FACW	FACW			FACW				FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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