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Byron larkspur

Delphinium recurvatum

Also called Recurved Larkspur, Valley Larkspur

Byron larkspur
Photo: joedecruyenaere, CC BY-SA 2.0

Byron larkspur is a native perennial wildflower of California's Central Valley grasslands, growing up to about half a meter with blue flowers. It is now uncommon in the wild because much of its habitat was lost to development and farming.

Family
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)
Grows as
Perennial
Light
Full sun
Water
Water sparingly once established, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings, and avoid wet winter soil.
Soil
Well-drained soil, sandy or loamy, with good drainage.
Temperature
Tolerates cool to warm temperate conditions; protect from hard frost.
How easy
Moderate
Safety
Toxic: Delphinium species contain alkaloids, such as delphinine, that are harmful if eaten, causing digestive upset and more serious effects in large amounts.
Native range
C. California
Climate
temperate

About

Delphinium recurvatum is a species of larkspur known by the common names Byron larkspur, recurved larkspur, and valley larkspur. It is endemic to California, where most of its historical range is in the Central Valley. The grasslands of the valley have been mostly claimed for development and agriculture, so this species is now uncommon. This wildflower reaches a maximum height of about half a meter. Its deeply lobed leaves are mainly basal, with those located further up the dark purple stem being much smaller. The flowers are generally blue, with the sepals and lower petals darker than the upper petals. The sepals are usually curved back, the trait which gives the plant its name.

Other Delphinium plants

Doubtful knight's-spur · Consolida armeniaca · Consolida oliveriana · Royal knight's-spur · Anderson's larkspur · Baker's delphinium · Subalpine larkspur · Little larkspur · Musk Larkspur · California larkspur · Delphinium calthifolium · Scarlet larkspur

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Delphinium recurvatum by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.

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