red larkspur

Delphinium nudicaule

Member of larkspurs (genus Delphinium)
buttercup family (family Ranunculaceae)
dicots (class Magnoliopsida)
red in flowering plants

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• sepals forward-pointing, scarlet to orange-red (dull yellow), lateral sepals 8–16 mm, spur 12–34 mm
• petals ± glabrous to naked eye
• stem 15–50 cm (–125), generally glabrous
• common in bay area

See also california fuchsia (Epilobium canum), which does not have a spur extending perpendicular to the pedicel and has much longer filaments. There is also a scarlet larkspur (Delphinium cardinale), but it isn’t found in the bay area.

Toxicity of delphinium, larkspur, rocket larkspur (Delphinium spp.):
4 – Ingestion of these plants, especially in large amounts, is expected to cause serious effects to the heart, liver, kidneys or brain. If ingested in any amount, call the poison center immediately.

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Chris’s observations: 12 (all are research grade)

Locations:

• Sanborn CP: 4
• Castle Rock SP: 3
• Stevens Creek CP: 2
• Foothills Nature Preserve, Palo Alto
• Picchetti Ranch OSP
• Saratoga Gap OSP

Months:

• May: 3
• Jun.: 9

For more details, use advanced search.

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Taxon info: iNaturalist – Calflora – CalPhotos – Jepson eFlora – FNA

Bay Area species: iNaturalist – Calflora