Delphinium variegatum Torr. & Gray
Family: Ranunculaceae
Royal Larkspur
Delphinium variegatum image
Charles Webber  

Stems (10-)20-50(-80) cm; base reddish or not, not longitudinally ridged, long-pubescent. Leaves mostly on proximal 1/3 of stem; basal leaves 0-6 at anthesis; cauline leaves 1-6 at anthesis; petiole 0.5-9 cm, petioles of proximal leaves long-pubescent. Leaf blade round to pentagonal, 1-4.5 × 2-6 cm, pubescent; ultimate lobes 3-15, width 3-8 mm (basal), 2-5 mm (cauline). Inflorescences (4-)6-17(-20)-flowered, open; pedicel 0.5-3(-7) cm, usually puberulent; bracteoles 2-7(-23) mm from flowers, green, linear-lanceolate, 3-8 mm, puberulent. Flowers: sepals usually deep royal blue, sometimes bright blue to light blue or white, ± finely pubescent, lateral sepals spreading, 10-18(-25) × 6-10 mm, spurs straight, ascending ca. 30° above horizontal, 10-19 mm; lower petal blades slightly elevated, ± exposing stamens, 4-11 mm, clefts 0.5-3.5 mm; hairs sparse, more on inner lobes than outer lobe or centered, scattered on margins, white or yellow. Fruits 9-19 mm, 2.2-3.8 times longer than wide, ± puberulent. Seeds not echinate, appearing ± smooth to naked eye; seed coat cells with margins ± undulate, surfaces roughened.

Delphinium variegatum image
Charles Webber  
Delphinium variegatum image
Charles Webber  
Delphinium variegatum image
Jo-Ann Ordano  
Delphinium variegatum image
Barry Rice  
Delphinium variegatum image
Gary A. Monroe  
Delphinium variegatum image
Barry Breckling  
Delphinium variegatum image
Barry Breckling  
Delphinium variegatum image
Barry Breckling  
Delphinium variegatum image
Barry Breckling  
Delphinium variegatum image
Barry Breckling