Twolobe larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum, Repert. Bot. Syst. 2: 744 (1843))

Family: Ranunculaceae

Author: Pritz. ex Walp.

Bibliography: Repert. Bot. Syst. 2: 744 (1843)

Year: 1843

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Delphinium

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. Canada to W. & WC. U.S.A.

Description

Twolobe larkspur, scientifically known as Delphinium nuttallianum, is a striking and delicate flowering plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. First described by Pritz. ex Walp. in 1843 within the pages of Repert. Bot. Syst. 2: 744, this plant is renowned for its intricate and colorful blooms.

Twolobe larkspur thrives primarily in the diverse landscapes of Western Canada and extends its beautiful presence across Western and West-Central United States. This hardy species is well-adapted to various climates, from rocky mountain terrains to open meadows, often painting the countryside with its vibrant hues.

Characterized by its tall, slender stems and deeply lobed leaves, Delphinium nuttallianum captivates botanists and garden enthusiasts alike. The blooms, typically arranged in an elegant tower, sport a range of colors from deep indigos to lighter blues and purples, each blossom graced with distinctive and delicate lobe configurations that give the plant its common name.

Twolobe larkspur not only adds aesthetic value to its native habitats but also plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem. It attracts a multitude of pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds, which are drawn to its nectar-rich flowers. The plant’s presence signifies a healthy, thriving environment, and it often grows alongside other native flora, contributing to the biodiversity of the region.

Whether observed in the wild or cultivated in gardens, Delphinium nuttallianum remains a testament to the intricate beauty of the natural world and the enduring fascination it holds for those who appreciate the delicate interplay of form, color, and life.

Common Names

Eng: nuttall’s larkspur, low larkspur, two-lobe larkspur, twolobe larkspur
En: Twolobe larkspur, Two-Lobe Larkspur, NUTTALL LARKSPUR, Nuttal’s larkspur, Nuttall’s larkspur, Low larkspur
Zh: 牛毒翠雀花

Synonyms

• Delphinium leonardii (Rydb.)
• Delphinium nelsonii (Greene)
• Delphinium nelsonii f. dumetorum ((Greene) Ewan)
• Delphinium nuttallianum var. fulvum (C.L.Hitchc.)
• Delphinium nelsonii f. pinetorum ((Tidestr.) Ewan)
• Delphinium nelsonii subsp. utahense ((S.Watson) Ewan)
• Delphinium menziesii var. utahense (S.Watson)
• Delphinium pinetorum (Tidestr.)
• Delphinium nuttallianum var. levicaule (C.L.Hitchc.)
• Delphinium pauciflorum var. sonnei ((Greene) Smiley)
• Delphinium nuttallianum var. pilosum (C.L.Hitchc.)
• Delphinium bicolor var. nelsonii ((Greene) K.C.Davis)
• Delphinium pauciflorum var. depauperatum (A.Gray)
• Delphinium pauciflorum var. nevadense ((S.Watson) A.Gray)
• Delphinastrum nelsonii ((Greene) Nieuwl.)
• Delphinastrum nuttallianum ((Pritz. ex Walp.) Nieuwl.)
• Delphinium decorum var. nevadense (S.Watson)
• Delphinium sonnei (Greene)
• Delphinium dumetorum (Greene)

Distribution

• Arizona (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Utah (native)
• Washington (native)
• Wyoming (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 6, 2022 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Clint Grierson (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2021 by hollis neck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2022 by Penelope Penelope (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Bush Devon (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Ripley, J.D. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Ripley, J.D. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Cooper, G.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Cooper, G.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Cooper, G.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 27, 2015 by EOL − tdmarie (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 4, 2008 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2012 by EOL − Gary A. Monroe (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 21, 2012 by EOL − Gary A. Monroe (cc-by-nc)

Fruit

Taken Dec 4, 2008 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3033734)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77438-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Delphinium nuttallianum Pritz. ex Walp.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth