Delphinium exaltatum W. Aiton. Common name: Tall Larkspur. Phenology: Jul-Sep. Habitat: Dry to moist soils over calcareous (such as dolostone, especially Elbrook Formation) or mafic rocks (such as amphibolite, metagabbro, greenstone, and diabase), usually in the open (as grassy balds) or on forest edges in partial sun. Distribution: Sw. PA and OH southwest to MO and e. TN, and south to the Mountains of VA and the Mountains and Piedmont of NC.
ID notes: The flowers are a pale to medium blue.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, FNA3, G, K4, Mo3, NE, NS, Pa, POWO, RAB, S, Tn, Va, W, WV, Kral (1976); = Delphinium urceolatum Jacq. — S13, misapplied. Basionym: Delphinium exaltatum Aiton 1789
Links to other floras: = Delphinium exaltatum - FNA3
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Heliophily ⓘ: 8
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© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Jennifer Stanley | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect perennial of dry to moist soils over calcareous or mafic rocks (e.g., amphibolite, metagabbro, greenstone, diabase), usually in the open or on forest edges in partial sun.
Stems: Stems slender, smooth below the inflorescence.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, petiolate, palmately divided into 3-5 long-toothed lobes, deep green above and pale green beneath.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in wand-like, loose, terminal raceme with some branching below; pale to medium blue (occasionally pink or white); to 1 in. long; bilaterally symmetric; consisting of 5 furry, petal-like sepals, the upper one of which is elongated into a distinctive spur; 4 reduced petals are enclosed within.
Fruits: Fruit an erect, strongly 3-parted follicle.
Comments: All parts of this plant are poisonous.
Height: 3-6 ft.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect perennial of dry to moist soils over calcareous or mafic rocks (e.g., amphibolite, metagabbro, greenstone, diabase), usually in the open or on forest edges in partial sun.
stems: Stems slender, smooth below the inflorescence.
leaves: Leaves alternate, petiolate, palmately divided into 3-5 long-toothed lobes, deep green above and pale green beneath.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in wand-like, loose, terminal raceme with some branching below; pale to medium blue (occasionally pink or white); to 1 in. long; bilaterally symmetric; consisting of 5 furry, petal-like sepals, the upper one of which is elongated into a distinctive spur; 4 reduced petals are enclosed within.
fruits: Fruit an erect, strongly 3-parted follicle.
comments: All parts of this plant are poisonous.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern United States
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