doubtful knight's-spur
Delphinium ajacis
The common name 'knight's-spur' comes from the nectar-producing spur at the back of the flower, which closely resembles a medieval riding spur.
- Scientific name
- Delphinium ajacis
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Ranunculales › Ranunculaceae › Delphinium
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Fields, pastures, roadsides, disturbed areas, and open grasslands
- Diet
- Photosynthetic autotroph (sunlight, water, and soil nutrients)
- Range
- Southern Europe, Mediterranean Basin, North America, Temperate Asia
- Size
- 30 to 100 cm tall
- Lifespan
- Annual (1 year)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Herbicide application, intensive lawn mowing, and agricultural land development.
- Safe to approach?
- Warning: All parts of this plant are highly toxic if ingested and can cause severe skin irritation. Do not touch without gloves, and never consume. Keep pets and livestock away. If ingested, seek emergency medical help immediately. Wash skin thoroughly with soap and water if contact occurs.
Consolida ajacis (syn. Consolida ambigua , Delphinium ajacis , Delphinium ambiguum , doubtful knight's spur , rocket larkspur ) is an annual flowering plant of the family Ranunculaceae native to Eurasia. It is widespread in other areas, including much of North America, where it was an introduced species. It is frequently grown in gardens as an ornamental for its spikes of blue, pink or white flowers. It may reach a meter in height. Since the aerial parts and seeds of C....
Photo: Joss Smithson, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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