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Machi, Mary Ann

Delphinium nudicaule

Delphinium nudicaule Torr. & A. Gray

Red Larkspur, Orange Larkspur, Christmas Horns

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: DENU

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A usually 1-2 ft. delphinium with finely dissected basal and stem leaves. The orange-red flowers are cornucopia-shaped and occur in a few-flowered raceme.

The red flowers attract hummingbirds.

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 4 feet tall, often shorter.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Orange
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: C. & n. CA & s. OR
Native Habitat: Dry, wooded or shrubby foothills below 6500 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Needs protection from snails and slugs.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds.
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 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, different plant 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

Propagation

Description: Sow seed.
Seed Treatment: No pretreatment is necessary although 1 month stratification may improve results.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

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

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 0000-00-00
Research By: TWC Staff

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