Delphinium nuttallianum

(Nuttall's Larkspur)

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Delphinium nuttallianum, Lower Cataract Lake, Summit Co. 1063

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Delphinium nuttallianum, Lower Cataract Lake, Summit Co. 1071

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Delphinium nuttallianum, Lower Cataract Lake, Summit Co. 0830

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Delphinium nuttallianum, Lower Cataract Lake, Summit Co. 5620

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Delphinium nuttallianum, Lower Cataract Lake, Summit Co. 5610

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Delphinium nuttallianum, Lower Cataract Lake, Summit Co. 5499

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Delphinium nuttallianum, Lower Cataract Lake, Summit Co. 5505

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Leaves, Delphinium nuttallianum, Lower Cataract Lake, Summit Co. 1069

Scientific Name Delphinium nuttallianum USDA PLANTS Symbol DENU2
Common Name Nuttall's Larkspur, Two-lobed Larkspur ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 18483
Family Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) SEINet
Reference
Click Here
Description Life zones and habitat: Foothills and montane (5500 to 10800 ft.); meadows, open woodlands, sagebrush slopes.
Plant: Erect perennial with unbranched stems 4 to 16 inches tall, in colonies.
Leaves: Basal and alternate lower stem leaves round in outline, deeply palmately-cleft into 5 to 12 segments that are further divided into narrowly-oblong or linear lobes.
Inflorescence: Raceme of 4 to 18 (or more) blossoms, bluish-purple sepals and petals, rarely white (as in photos below) or pink; upper sepal has spur ~5/8-inch long extending rearward.
Bloom Period: April to July.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, American Southwest and SEINet.
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