Also known as: Spring Larkspur, Delphinium tricorne. Buttercup (Ranunculaceae) Family.

Color Variations: Wampler & Wampler (1990) claims Larkspur comes in lavender, white, or combinations thereof, but I have never seen anything but a purple, which is not given justice in these photos as it appears more blue than it really is. Whatever the color, this plant surely stands out against the drab forest surroundings where it is found. Pepoon (1930) states that a similar species, D. consolida, grows in vacant lots.

Commentary: The Dwarf Larkspur is easily identified by its oppositely arranged 5-sepaled purple flowers rising in a pyramidal shape on one or two tall stalks from the base of a plant with several singluar leaves. This plant typically grows at least a few feet from its nearest neighbor such that each plant sticks out as being non sui generis (below), though they are often seen in widely-scattered groups. The flowers bloom bottom-up and become progressively smaller.

Larkspur blooms later than most spring woodland plants. The first plant I saw in1998 was in very late April, and one had already lost its blooms on May 10. Larkspur can stand some level of competition. One neighbor has a larkspur competing against wild geranium and columbine in a sunny location, and the larkspur is holding its own. I have only once tried to transplant larkspur, as it is only found in one area in my neighborhood where it is quite welcome, though local wisdom holds that it is a difficult plant to move. The area in which it I found these specemins is an upland beech/maple forest with moderate levels of sunlight relative to other areas of the forest. The plant associates with Dutchmen's Breeches, Cut-Leaved Toothwort, Wild Onion, Violet, Phlox, Soloman's Seal, and Mayapple. Larkspur is rumored to be tempermental and not tolerant of distrubance.

Precautions & Uses: Peterson reports that the whole plant is poisionus, though Native Americans used it as a narcotic sleep aid.

Soil Preferences: pH: 5.5-7.5 (?)

References: Wampler & Wampler 13-14, Pepoon n804, Peterson n243.

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