# dwarf larkspur (*Delphinium tricorne*) The dwarf larkspur is a beautiful little flower that grows close to the ground. It has lovely blue petals that attract butterflies and bees, making gardens colorful and lively. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![dwarf larkspur](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Delphinium_tricorne_Kentucky.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mason Brock ( Masebrock ), Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Delphinium_tricorne_Kentucky.jpg) ## Appearance The dwarf larkspur has slender, erect stems topped with clusters of striking deep blue to violet-purple flowers, each featuring a prominent backward-pointing spur. Its leaves are deeply divided into three to five finger-like lobes, giving it a delicate, fern-like appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Ranunculales - **Family:** Ranunculaceae - **Genus:** Delphinium ## Interesting facts - Each flower has a unique "spur" at the back, which is like a secret nectar treasure chest! - Its scientific name, Delphinium, means "dolphin" because the flower bud looks like a tiny dolphin! - Some species of larkspur were historically used to make blue dye, but never eaten! - These plants love to grow in the shade of tall trees, brightening up forest floors! ## Special abilities - **Nectar Beacon:** dwarf larkspur can produce nectar deep within its spurred flowers, guiding long-tongued insects like bumblebees to pollinate it effectively. - **Underground Power:** dwarf larkspur has a tuberous root system that stores energy, allowing it to survive harsh winters and re-emerge year after year. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-90 cm - **Spread:** 15-30 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** High - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Two-spotted bumble bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/two-spotted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus bimaculatus*) — Gathers nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** [Blue orchard bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-orchard-bee) (*Osmia lignaria*) — Collects pollen for larvae ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult, as some can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify dwarf larkspur? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is dwarf larkspur? 30-90 cm ### How wide does dwarf larkspur spread? 15-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on dwarf larkspur? 2-3 cm ### When does dwarf larkspur bloom? Spring to early summer ### Is dwarf larkspur edible? No ### Is dwarf larkspur toxic? High ### What is dwarf larkspur's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Bellefontaine Cemetery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bellefontaine-cemetery) — Missouri, US · Botanical Garden - [Pennyrile State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pennyrile-state-forest) — Kentucky, US · Forest - [Blackacre Nature Preserve and Historic Homestead](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blackacre-nature-preserve-and-historic-homestead) — Kentucky, US · Nature Reserve - [Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cheekwood-botanical-garden-and-museum-of-art) — Tennessee, US · Botanical Garden - [Kentenia State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kentenia-state-forest) — Kentucky, US · Forest - [Knob Creek Farm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/knob-creek-farm) — Kentucky, US · Historic Site [View all places to see dwarf larkspur](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/dwarf-larkspur) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Dwarf Larkspur: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dwarf-larkspur)