Page author: David Giblin
Delphinium distichum
two-spike larkspur
Specimens
Photos

Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to Oregon, east to Montana and Wyoming.

Habitat: Vernally wet swales and meadows, in sagebrush or ponderosa pine forest.

Flowers: May-July

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Bumblebees, bees, flies, butterflies, hummingbirds

Description:
General:

Sturdy, grey-puberulent perennial from fleshy roots, the stems 4-7 dm. tall.

Leaves:

Basal and lower cauline leaves long-petiolate, the blades 4-6 cm. broad and divided nearly to the base into 3 segments, which are twice divided into broad segments; lower leaves abruptly transitional into mid-stem leaves, which are short-petiolate, very numerous and overlapping, and finely divided into linear segments.

Flowers:

Inflorescence a many-flowered, spike-like raceme, the pedicels shorter than the calyx spur and strongly ascending; sepals 5, bluish-purple with lighter streaks, cupped forward, 7-9 mm long, oblong, the spur 11-17 mm. long; petals 4, small, the lower pair blue, lobed, the upper pair white; stamens numerous; pistils 3.

Fruits:

Follicles 8-12 mm. long, erect, usually glandular.

Accepted Name:
Delphinium distichum Geyer ex A. Gray
Publication: J. Bot. 6: 68. 1847.

Synonyms & Misapplications:
Delphinium strictum A. Nelson var. distichiflorum (Hook.) H. St. John
Additional Resources:

PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Delphinium distichum in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database.

WA Flora Checklist: Delphinium distichum checklist entry.

OregonFlora: Delphinium distichum information.

E-Flora BC: Delphinium distichum atlas page.

CalPhotos: Delphinium distichum photos.

USDA Plants: Delphinium distichum information.

40 photographs:
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