Dwarf larkspur

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Dwarf larkspur flower

Dwarf larkspur

Dwarf larkspur

Dwarf larkspur sepals and petals

Dwarf larkspur leaf

Dwarf larkspur inflorescence

Dwarf larkspur leaf

Dark larkspur inflorescence

Dwarf larkspur flowers

Dwarf larkspur

Dwarf larkspur leaf

Morphology

Stem

Erect, solitary, usually stout, unbranched to sparingly branched, hollow, somewhat succulent, glabrous below, pubescent in inflorescence; stem breaks easily.

Leaves

Alternate, few, mostly at or near base, long-stalked below, stalks of upper leaves reduced in size; main stem leaves 4-12, palmately-divided; segments 3-7, lanceolate to oblong-linear

Inflorescence

Raceme, slender, 2 to 8 inches long, 6-30-flowered, finely soft-hairy, terminal; spurs of flowers intersect raceme axis.

Flower

Showy, to 1.5 inch long; stalks .4 to 1.2 inch long; sepals 5, petal-like, deep blue or violet, rarely pink or white, lower ones 2/5 to 4/5 inch long, uppermost with spur 2/5 to 4/5 inch long; petals 4, small, inconspicuous; upper 2 petals white, often tinged blue, extending backward into sepal spur; lower 2 petals usually blue, bearded, partly concealing stamens and pistils; stamens numerous.

Fruit

Pods 3, erect, spreading at maturity, 2/5 to 3/5 inch long, pointed; seeds numerous, dark.

Ecology

Habitat

Moist or rocky woods, thickets, stream banks, roadsides, and ravine bottoms.

Distribution

East 1/3 of Kansas.

Practical Information

Toxicity

Poisonous to livestock.

Additional Notes