Delphinium nuttallii

First overview block:Delphinium nuttallianum Pritz. ex Walp, Ranunculaceae, Delphinium nelsonii Greene, Upland larkspur, Low larkspur, Yellow pine larkspur

Description

General: Crisp-puberulent, eglandular perennial from small, globose, fleshy roots, the single stems 3-6 dm. tall. Leaves: Leaves long-petiolate, evenly distributed, the blades up to 10 cm. broad, 3-4 times dissected into narrowly lanceolate or linear segments. Flowers: Inflorescence simple to compound, the racemes spike-like above, the lower pedicels exceeding the numerous, crowded flowers; sepals 5, deep bluish-purple, 7-12 mm. long, slightly spreading, with a conspicuous median, pubescent, greenish band; spur equal to the sepals; petals 4, small, the lower pair deep purplish-blue, shallowly cleft, the upper pair light blue; stamens numerous; pistils 3. Fruit: Follicles about 15 mm. long, slightly bent.

Distribution

Pierce and eastern Grays Harbor Counties, Washington, south to the Columbia River Gorge and Clackamas County, Oregon.

Habitat

Ecological Setting-Gravelly outwash prairies and basaltic cliffs.

Uses

Landscaping-Not very easy to grow, but looks like it will reseed itself.

Propagation

Flowering Time	May-June
Crop Intervals	Perennial

Seed

Abbreviation: DENU

Seed sample from: 2011

Average Measurement: 1.8 x 1.2 x 0.8

Measurement Range: L: 1.25 – 2.1, W: 1 – 2, D: 0.5 – 1.2

Features

Shape: Usually broader at hilum end, bud seeds variable. Seeds in baggy seed coat that sometimes makes seeds appear winged around the edges.

Color: Inner seed dark brown to black, seedcoat white and transparent.

Surface: Seed coat finely longitudinally striate and glossy.

Could be confused with: Delphinium menziesii.

Latitudinal Cross Section: obovate

Longitudinal Cross Section: semi circular