• Home
  • How We Work
  • Where We Work
  • News Room
  • About Us
  • My Nature Page

The Nature Conservancy in Africa - Conservation in Africa

The Nature Conservancy in Asia Pacific - Conservation in Asia-Pacific

The Nature Conservancy in the Caribbean - Conservation in the Caribbean

The Nature Conservancy in Central America - Conservation in Central America

The Nature Conservancy in North America - Conservation in North America

The Nature Conservancy in the United States - Conservation in the United States

The Nature Conservancy in South America - Conservation in South America

Tall Larkspur
Delphinium exaltatum

tall larkspur
tall larkspur
© TNC 

Description: Tall, erect, herbaceous perennial, to 6 ft.; The common name describes the characteristic spur, which is formed by the upper sepal of the flower. In the center of each flower are four small petals. The upper two petals extend back to line the inside of the spur, where nectar awaits those insects that can reach it -- long-tongued butterflies and moths, and strong, aggressive bumblebees. The Hopi Indians extracted a blue dye from the flowers of tall larkspur, and settlers later mixed this extract with a fixative to make blue ink.

Flowering Period: July-September

Habitat/Range: Reported from a wide variety of habitats in sun to semi-shade including prairie remnants, dry and rich open woods, thin rocky soil, ravines, fens, and thickets. Most common on calcareous soils.

Ohio State Status: Potentially Threatened.

Threats: This species is quite conspicuous and may be subject to casual picking. Non-native invasive species and overgrowth by woody species through succession are other threats.