Delphinium
| Delphinium | |
|---|---|
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| Delphinium staphisagria | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus: | Delphinium L. |
| Species | |
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Delphinium is a genus of about 300 species of perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae, native throughout the Northern Hemisphere and also on the high mountains of tropical Africa.[1]
The common name "larkspur" is shared between perennial Delphinium species and annual species of the genus Consolida. [2] Molecular data shows that Consolida, as well as another segregate genus, Aconitella, are both embedded in Delphinium.[3] The name "delphinium" derives from the Latin for "dolphin", referring to the shape of the nectary.
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Description [edit]
The leaves are deeply lobed with 3 to 7 toothed, pointed lobes in a palmate shape. The main flowering stem is erect, and varies greatly in size between the species, from 10 centimetres in some alpine species, up to 2 metres tall in the larger meadowland species.
The plant is topped with a raceme of many flowers, varying in color from purple and blue, to red, yellow, or white. In most species each flower consists of five petal-like sepals which grow together to form a hollow pocket with a spur at the end, which gives the plant its name, usually more or less dark blue. Within the sepals are four true petals, small, inconspicuous, and commonly colored similarly to the sepals. The eponymous long spur of the upper sepal encloses the nectar-containing spurs of the two upper petals.[4]
The seeds are small and often shiny black. The plants flower from late spring to late summer, and are pollinated by butterflies and bumble bees. Despite the toxicity, delphinium species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including the dot moth and small angle shades.[citation needed]
Toxicity [edit]
All parts of these plants are considered toxic to humans, causing severe digestive discomfort if ingested, and also skin irritation.[4][5][6]
Larkspur, especially tall larkspur, is a significant cause of cattle poisoning on rangelands in the western United States.[7] Larkspur is more common in high-elevation areas, and many ranchers will delay moving cattle onto such ranges until late summer when the toxicity of the plants is reduced.[8] Death is through cardiotoxic and neuromuscular blocking effects, and can occur within a few hours of ingestion.[9]
Species [edit]
Species include: [10]
Candle larkspur
Cultivation [edit]
Various Delphinium species are cultivated by nurseries as ornamental plants, for traditional and native plant gardens. However, the numerous hybrids and cultivars are primarily used as garden plants. Delphiniums can attract butterflies and other pollinators. [11]
Hybrids and cultivars [edit]
Most Delphinium hybrids and cultivars are derived from Delphinium elatum (syn: Delphinium × elatum), native to the Alps. Hybridisation was developed in the 19th-century, lead by Victor Lemoine in France.[12] Other hybrid crosses have included Delphinium bruninianum from the Himalayas, Delphinium cardinale from California, Delphinium cheilanthum from Siberia, and Delphinium formosum from Armenia. [13]
Numerous cultivars have been selected as garden plants, and for cut flowers and floristry. They are available in shades of white, pink, purple, and blue. The blooming plant is also used in displays and specialist competitions at flower and garden shows, such as the Chelsea Flower Show.[14]
The Pacific Giant Hybrid Delphiniums are a group with individual single-color cultivar names, developed by Reinelt in the United States. They typically grow to 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) tall on long stems, by 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) wide. They reportedly can tolerate deer.[11] Millenium Delphinium hybrids, bred by Dowdeswell's Ltd in New Zealand, are reportedly better in warmer climates than the Pacific Hybrids. [15] [16] Flower colors in shades of red, orange, and pink were hybridized from Delphinium cardinale, a California native species, by Americans Reinelt and Samuelson. [13]
- Selected cultivars
The following Delphinium cultivars have received the Award of Garden Merit from the British Royal Horticultural Society:
Other uses [edit]
The juice of the flowers, particularly Delphinium consolida, mixed with alum, gives a blue ink.[58]
Medicinal [edit]
All parts of the plant contain various diterpenoid alkaloids, typified by methyllycaconitine, so are very poisonous.[6] In small amounts, extracts of the plant have been used in herbal medicine.
Delphinium is used to treat intestinal worms, fluid retention, poor appetite, and trouble sleeping (insomnia). It is also used as a sedative to cause relaxation.[59] Gerard's Herbal reported that drinking the seed of larkspur was thought to help against the stings of scorpions, and that other poisonous animals could not move when covered by the herb, but that he did not believe this himself. Mrs. Grieve reports that the seeds can be used against parasites, especially lice and their nits in the hair. A tincture is used against asthma and dropsy.[60]
The plant was connected to Saint Odile of Alsace, a patroness of good eyesight, and so in popular medicine was used against eye diseases.
External links [edit]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Delphinium |
- GRIN: Species in the genus Delphinium' — with links by species for information + synonyms.
- USDA-ARS: Larkspur—Delphinium spp. Fact Sheet — native U.S. species and grazing toxicity.
- MBG—Kemper Center for Home Gardening: Delphinium "Pacific Giant Hybrids" — horticultural information.
- Dowdeswell's Ltd: "Growing New Millennium Delphiniums in the U.S. & Canada" — horticultural information.
References [edit]
- ^ Flora of North America: Delphinium
- ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
- ^ Jabbour, F., and S. S. Renner. 2011. Consolida and Aconitella are an annual clade of Delphinium (Ranunculaceae) that diversified in the Mediterranean basin and the Irano-Turanian region. Taxon 60(4): 1029-1040.
- ^ a b Michael J. Warnock; Copyright © by the Regents of the University of California (1993). "UC/JEPS: Jepson Manual treatment for Delphinium" (HTML). Treatment from the Jepson Manual. Regents of the University of California and University and Jepson Herbaria. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
- ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
- ^ a b J. D. Olsen, G. D. Manners and S. W. Pelletier (1990) Collectanea Bot. (Barcelona) 19 141-151.
- ^ USDA-ARS Larkspur Fact Sheet
- ^ Utah State University. Reducing Losses Due to Tall Larkspur Poisoning
- ^ Smith, Bradford (2002). Large Animal Internal Medicine - 3rd Edition, p.252. Mosby Inc, St. Louis. ISBN 0-323-00946-8
- ^ GRIN: Delphinium species . accessed 1.10.2013
- ^ a b Missouri Botanical Garden: Delphiniums . accessed 1.10.2013
- ^ Iowa State Cooperative Extension: Delphinium
- ^ a b Dowdeswell's Delphiniums Ltd: History of Delphiniums in cultivation . accessed 1.10.2013
- ^ Bassett, David (2006). Delphiniums. United Kingdom: Batsford. p. 160. ISBN 0713490020.
- ^ Dowdeswell's Delphiniums Ltd: New Millennium Delphiniums . accessed 1.10.2013
- ^ Timber Press: Hybrid Delphiniums plant review . accessed 1.10.2013
- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2475
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- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2691
- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=631
- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2692
- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2693
- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2694
- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2695
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- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2697
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- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=4872
- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2700
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- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2708
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- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2712
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- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2714
- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=636
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- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2719
- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2720
- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=5608
- ^ Figuier, L. (1867). The Vegetable World, Being a History of Plants. Harvard University. pg 396.
- ^ http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-424-DELPHINIUM.aspx?activeIngredientId=424&activeIngredientName=DELPHINIUM
- ^ [1]
