Delphinium carolinianum Walter ssp. carolinianum

Carolina Larkspur; Prairie Larkspur; Blue Larkspur

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Carolina Larkspur is a native herbaceous perennial in the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It is found primarily in central and western portions of the state. Carolina Larkspur occurs in prairies, in cedar glades, in calcareous woodlands, and on limestone outcrops. It is a perennial from a fascicle of thickened roots. The stems are erect, 1-3 feet in height, unbranched, green in color, and pubescent. Leaves are basal and cauline. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, slightly pubescent, and deeply palmately divided into 3-20 narrow lobes. Flowers are produced in terminal 8-20 flowered racemes. The pedicel and sepals are glabrous. Each flower has 5 petal-like sepals, the upper one spurred, and 4 petals. The flowers are purple to blue or white in color. The fruit is a follicle. Carolina Larkspur is sometimes available as seed. It preforms best in alkaline soils in full sun. The seed should be sown in the garden as Carolina Larkspur does not transplant well. It can be used in prairies and grasslands, along fence rows, and in a bed for cut flowers.—A. Diamond

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Native

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