What is Delphinium?
Delphinium is a genus of flowering plant native throughout the Northern hemisphere and in parts of Africa. It features stems covered in flowers that bloom from the late spring throughout the summer and may be blue, red, purple, yellow, or white. There are about 250 different species of delphinium in annual, biennial, and perennial varieties. Delphinium is also commonly called larkspur, lark’s claw, lark’s heel, and knight’s spur. The flower stalks of delphinium species vary widely in height, from 4 inches (10 cm) to 6 1/2 feet (2 meters). Delphinium flowers are hollow and five-petalled, with a spur at the end. The plant also features small, shiny, black seeds. All parts of the plant are poisonous, and eating it can cause vomiting and, in extreme cases, death. Despite the toxicity of delphinium, it has historically been used to treat a number of medical complaints, usually in extract form. Some conditions that have been treated with delphinium are insect bites, parasitic infestation, dr
