Twolobe Larkspur

Delphinium nuttallianum represents an extremely difficult complex, with many variations in a number of morphologic traits. The complex has been and continues to be a major source of confusion for identification of Delphinium in North America. Type specimens of D . nuttallianum represent plants growing under dry conditions in open areas. These are typically found at 1200-2000 m in sage scrub or lower montane forest. Delphinium nuttallianum may be confused with D . andersonii , D . antoninum , D . depauperatum , D . gracilentum , and two subspecies of D . patens (subsp. patens and subsp. montanum ). Features that may be used to separate D . nuttallianum from the first four, are enumerated under the respective species discussions. From D . patens subsp. patens , D . nuttallianum may be distinguished by its narrower leaf lobes, larger fruits, and more compact inflorescence. The frequent presence of glandular hairs in the inflorescence of D . patens subsp. montanum , contrasted with their absence in D . nuttallianum , will separate these taxa. Dwarfed plants of D . polycladon may be confused with D . nuttallianum . The latter, however may be distinguished by its ringed seeds, and it does not have prominent buds or sigmoid pedicel.

Hybrids have been seen between Delphinium nuttallianum and D . andersonii , D . depauperatum ( D . × burkei Greene), D . distichum ( D . × diversicolor Rydberg), D . nudicaule , and D . polycladon .

Stems unbranched, 10-40(-70) cm; base reddish, pubescence variable. Leaves mostly on proximal 1/4 of stem; basal leaves 2-6 at anthesis; cauline leaves 2-10 at anthesis; petiole 0.4-12 cm. Leaf blade round, 1-6 × 2-12 cm, nearly glabrous; ultimate lobes 5-21, 5 or more extending more than 3/5 distance to petiole, width 1-7(-14) mm (basal), 0.5-6 mm (cauline), widest at middle or in proximal 1/2. Inflorescences 4-18(-48)-flowered, at least 2 times as long as wide; pedicel 0.8-6 cm, pubescence variable; bracteoles 3-8(-18) mm from flowers, green to blue, linear, 3-7 mm, pubescence variable. Flowers: sepals usually bluish purple, rarely white to pink, puberulent, lateral sepals reflexed or spreading, 8-21 × 3-10 mm, spurs decurved to straight, ascending 20-60° above horizontal, 8-23 mm; lower petal blades elevated, exposing stamens, blue to purple, except sometimes in white-flowered plants, 4-11 mm, clefts 2-5 mm; hairs mostly on inner lobes below junction of blade and claw, white, rarely yellow. Fruits 7-22 mm, 3.5-5 times longer than wide, glabrous to puberulent. Seeds winged or not; seed coat cell surfaces smooth or roughened, blunt hairs absent. 2 n = 16.

B.C.; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.Mex., Oreg., Utah, Wash., Wyo.

Flowering spring (-early summer).

Open coniferous woods, grassy sage scrub, meadow edges and well drained streamsides (generally not in very wet sites); 300-3500m.

Delphinium pauciflorum Nuttall in J. Torrey & A. Gray, Fl. N. Amer. 1: 33. 1838, not D. pauciflorum D. Don 1825, not D. pauciflorum Reichenbach ex Chamisso 1831; D. nuttallianum var. fulvum C. L. Hitchcock; D. nuttallianum var. levicaule C. L. Hitchcock; D. sonnei Greene

Delphinium nuttallianum is a species of larkspur known by the common names two-lobe larkspur, upland larkspur, common larkspur, and Nuttall's larkspur (the latter name is shared with Delphinium nuttallii). It is widely distributed across western North America from California to Alberta, including mountain meadows and the majority of the sagebrush steppe, except very dry areas.

The roots vary from thin to thick. The plant has a white to pink erect stem usually not exceeding half a meter in height, which may branch several times. Deeply lobed leaves are located mostly about the base of the plant. The inflorescence occupying the top end of the stem has a few widely spaced flowers on long pedicels. The sepals are long and curl backwards or fold upon themselves. They may be purple to blue or almost white. The lower petals are the same color, while the upper are often white. The spur is one or two centimeters long. The upper portion of the plant is often hairy.

The species is very poisonous to livestock, especially cattle.