Zigzag Larkspur
Delphinium patens
The 'zigzag' in its name refers to the distinctive, sharp angles the stem makes between each leaf node.
- Scientific name
- Delphinium patens
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Ranunculales › Ranunculaceae › Delphinium
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Oak woodlands, chaparral, and open coniferous forest floors.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide)
- Range
- California, Baja California
- Size
- 10 to 50 cm (4 to 20 inches) in height
- Lifespan
- Perennial (typically 3 to 10 years)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, urbanization, and displacement by invasive weed species.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to touch, but highly dangerous if ingested. All parts of the plant contain toxic diterpene alkaloids that can cause neuromuscular blockade, paralysis, and respiratory failure in humans and animals. Keep pets on a leash and do not consume. If any part of the plant is ingested, seek emergency medical or veterinary assistance immediately.
Delphinium patens is a species of larkspur known by the common names zigzag larkspur and spreading larkspur . It is a wildflower limited mainly to California. Though not yet confirmed there, it is expected in Baja California. Plants grow typically 20 to 50 centimeters tall and bear up to 36 flowers each. The stems are mostly hairless, have reddish bases, and bears leaves on the lower half. Each leaf is divided into 3 to 9 lobes. The...
Photo: Justin, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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