Desert Larkspur (Delphinium carolinianum v. wootonii)

   

Flowers of Desert Larkspur, El Paso. Photograph by Gertrud Konings, 5 Apr 2003.

• Common English Names: Desert Larkspur, Organ Mountain Larkspur, Plains Larkspur, White Larkspur
• Common Spanish Names:
• Scientific Name: Delphinium carolinianum v. wootonii (del-FIN-ee-um kare-oh-lin-ee-AYE-num WOO-ton-ee-eye) (formerly D. virescens, D. wootonii)
• Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
• Geographic Range: Calcareous grasslands, central, south and Trans-Pecos Texas, north to Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, south into northern Mexico.
• Plant Form: Herbaceous perennial, 12 to 36" H x 6" W.
• Remarks: Usually tall, stout, single stalked; palmately dissected leaves abundant along stems or sometimes forming basal tuft. White to pale blue, spurred, 1" flowers clustered on erect spike in mid-spring to early summer. Plants are often summer deciduous to re-emerge and occasionally flower again in fall. Low water, full sun to part shade, adaptable to variety of soils but prefers good drainage, tuberous root hardy.

Last Update: 30 Aug 2003