Delphinium menziesii

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Delphinium menziesii, commonly referred to as Menzies Larkspur, in the Buttercup family.

Synonyms/Subspecies:

  • Delphinium menziesii ssp. menziesii DC.
  • Delphinium menziesii ssp. pallidum M.J. Warnock
DEME RodGilbert veg 2004.jpg

Taxonomy

  • Kingdom Plantae- Plants
  • Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
  • Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
  • Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
  • Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
  • Subclass Magnoliidae
  • Order Ranunculales
  • Family Ranunculaceae – Buttercup family
  • Genus Delphinium- Larkspur family
  • Species Delphinium menziesii- Menzies Larkspur

Description

Perennial from tuberous, clustered roots and usually less than 50 cm high. The stem is single and very slender usually with very fine hairs. The leaves are stalked and are mostly on the stems with the longest stalks on the few basal leaves and becoming shorter as they grow farther up the stem. The main leaf blades are two or three times palmately divided into narrowly oblong to wedge-shaped segments. Flowers are violet with the uppermost of the five petals being modified into a pronounced hollow spur. The petals are shallowly notched, ruffled, veined and wavy-edged. The upper two petals are often white. The lower flower-pedicals are usually much longer than the flowers. The flowers occur in 3-20 open, loose simple to branched terminal clusters. Blooms from May on the coast to June and July in the higher meadows

Bloom Period

April to July

Distribution

Chiefly west of the Cascades, British Columbia to California; occasional east of the Cascades in Washington.

Habitat

Coastal bluffs and prairies to moist meadows and forest openings at moderate elevations in the mountains. Delphinium menziesii occurs in rich well drained soils and full sun.

Uses

POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Highly Toxic; May be Fatal if eaten. Symptoms include burning of lips and mouth, numbness of throat; intense vomiting and diarrhea, muscular weakness and spasms, weak pulse, paralysis of the respiratory system, convulsions. Toxic Principle: Alkaloids delphinine, ajacine, and others. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.). Inhibits the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes.

The First Nations have recorded uses of Dephinium menziesii as a poultice of the stalks and roots that has been applied to sores. A parasiticide is obtained from the leaves. It is quite toxic and so is for external use only. A blue dye can be obtained from the flowers.

Gardeners purport that this plant is an attractant and pollinated by hummingbirds, butterflies and bumblebees.

Propagation

Sow seeds in March/April in a cold frame or May outdoors. Keep moist and in a shady position until germination takes place. The seed has a limited viability so it should be stored in a sealed container at about 3°c. Temperatures above 15°c inhibit germination. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 9 weeks at 15°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Cuttings of basal shoots in April/May, taken before they become hollow at the base, and planted in a cold frame. Division in spring or early autumn.

Photo Gallery

Delphinium menziesii seeds
Photo Credit Lisa Hintz

The Seed

Abbreviation – DEME

Seed sample from 2009

Features

Average measurement: 1.9 x 1.2 x 1

Measurement range: L: 1.5 – 2.3, W: 1.1 – 1.3, D: 0.9 x 1.2

Latitudinal cross section: obovate DEME lat new.png

Longitudinal cross section: elliptical DEME long.png

Seeds dark brown in a roomy, clear/white seed coat that bunches around hilum and seed edges. Bagginess of seed coat sometimes gives the seed a winged appearance.

Seed coat very finely longitudinal striate and glossy.

Basic Explanations and Assumptions:

The dimensions for the seeds are length x width x depth. The location of the hilum is used as the base of the seed, and the length is measured from hilum to the opposite apex. Where a style is present, the length is measured from the hilum to the bottom of the style. Width is measured at a right angle to the length at the widest part. Depth is measured at a right angle to the intersection of height and width lines.

Measurements included are the mean average for each measurement of ten separate seeds.

All measurements in millimeters unless otherwise noted.

References