Delphinium ajacis L.

Rocket Larkspur; Doubtful Knight's Spur

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Rocket Larkspur is an introduced herbaceous annual in the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It is native to Europe and North Africa. In Alabama it can be found throughout the state on roadsides, around old home sites, and in other disturbed habitats. It is an annual with a tap root. Stems are erect, 1-2 feet in height, green in color, and glabrous or sparsely pubescent. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, palmately finely dissected with 12-60 narrow glabrous or slightly pubescent lobes. Flowers are produced in terminal 6-30 flowered racemes. Flowers are blue, pink, or white in color. Each flower has 5 sepals with the upper one spurred, 2 fused and spurred petals, and a single pistil. The fruit is a pubescent follicle. All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten. Rocket Larkspur is commonly available as seed. It is sometimes included in “wildflower” seed mixes. In Alabama the seed should be planted in the autumn in an open sunny area. It should be planted directly on site as it does not transplant well. It will commonly reseed for several years. This species is sometimes placed in the genus Consolida, separated from Delphinium based on its annual growth form and single pistil.—A. Diamond.

Commonly persisting after cultivation along roadsides.

Not Native

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