Prairie Larkspur

Prairie Larkspur

Delphinium virescens Nutt.

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

▲ mature, flowering plant

▲ base of stem

▲ stem with leaves

▲ single leaf

▲ ▼ flowers

Larkspurs: (pp. 502-503, Weeds of the Great Plains; not in Weeds of the Northeast)

Annual (rocket larkspur), biennial (prairie larkspur) or simple perennial (dwarf larkspur) native prairie plants in the Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family, found in moist, well-drained fertile soils
Form a rosette of deeply divided roundish leaves during the first year, then slender upright flowering stalks with a few leaves and showy flowers scattered along the stem in late spring to early summer
Flowers have an upcurved spur on their back side (like delphiniums � named for the dolphin nose-like spur)
Are toxic to livestock if consumed (especially toxic to cattle)