DELPHINIUM ELATUM L. – Candle Larkspur

Syn.: Delphinium intermedium Soland, Delphinium alpinum W. et K., Delphinium tiroliense Kerner
Family: Ranunculaceae Juss.

Distribution: Mountains of Central Europe, Northeastern Europe, Siberia, Central Asia.
Habitat: Grows in mountain meadows and along mountain streams.
Description: Perennial herb with a woody rhizome and erect stem up to 200 cm high. The basal leaves are long-petiolate, deeply palmate, stem leaves are short-petiolate. The flowers are in dense racemes, dark blue to blue-violet, long-spurred, flowers from July to August. The fruit is a follicle. A very variable species.
Endangering and Protection: The Candle Larkspur is a protected plant in some countries (CZ).
Note: An excellent plant for cut and dried arrangements.


Photos: 11. 7. 2003 (Czechia, Hrubý Jeseník, Velká kotlina).