Delphinium geyeri

(Geyer's Larkspur)

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Delphinium geyeri, CR112 west of Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 8027

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Delphinium geyeri, CR112 west of Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 8034

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Delphinium geyeri, CR112 west of Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 8013

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Delphinium geyeri, CR112 west of Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 8024

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Delphinium geyeri, CR112 west of Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 8010

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Delphinium geyeri, CR112 west of Pawnee Buttes, Weld Co. 8018

Scientific Name Delphinium geyeri USDA PLANTS Symbol DEGE2
Common Name Geyer's Larkspur ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 18555
Family Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) SEINet
Reference
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Description Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (5000 to 7500 ft.); dry, sandy or rocky hillsides and sagebrush slopes.
Plant: Erect perennial with unbranched stems 8 to 28 inches tall; minutely hairy stems; growing in colonies.
Leaves: Basal and stem leaves with light green blades, overall roundish in outline, 3/8 to 2 inches across, deeply palmately-cleft into multiple, narrow, densely pubescent segments, tips tapering to a point; basal leaves have wider lobes than stem leaves.
Inflorescence: Raceme of 6 to 30 (or even more) blossoms; 5 bright blue spreading sepals, 3/8 to almost 3/4-inch long and 4 shorter bright blue petals that may have a whitish tinge, the upper two petals (or the sepals) extending backward to form a spur; the spur is straight or slightly bent downward and 3/8 to 3/4-inch long; multiple stamens and yellow-brownish anthers partially obscured by lower petals.
Bloom Period: June and July.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Flora of North America and Montana Field Guide.
Note: Toxic to livestock (cattle and horses, especially) and is often eradicated in pasturelands.
BONAP Distribution Map


Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains