# Menzies' Larkspur (*Delphinium menziesii*) Menzies' Larkspur is a beautiful flower that grows in the wild. It has tall stems and bright blue flowers that look like tiny stars. These flowers are loved by butterflies and bees! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Menzies' Larkspur](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Delphinium_menziesii_%288744543249%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bureau of Land Management, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Delphinium_menziesii_%288744543249%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Menzies' Larkspur has slender, upright stems topped with loose clusters of striking deep blue to purple flowers, each with a distinctive spur at the back. Its deeply lobed leaves form a basal clump, making it stand out from surrounding green foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Ranunculales - **Family:** Ranunculaceae - **Genus:** Delphinium ## Interesting facts - "Larkspur" comes from the flower's spur looking like a lark bird's claw! - Despite its beauty, eating any part of this plant is extremely dangerous! - Native American tribes historically used its crushed flowers to make a beautiful blue dye. - The plant's vibrant blue color acts like a "bee magnet" for hungry pollinators! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Shield:** Menzies' Larkspur can produce deadly compounds that protect it from most hungry animals trying to eat its leaves. - **Nectar Beacon:** Its uniquely spurred flowers act like a special landing pad, guiding long-tongued bumblebees directly to the hidden nectar. - **Deep Drinker:** Menzies' Larkspur has a robust taproot that reaches deep into the soil to find water during dry summer months. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-4 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to early Summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Deadly - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Common Bumblebee (*Bombus appositus*) — drinks nectar and transfers pollen between flowers. - **Pollinates:** Two-form Bumblebee (*Bombus bifarius*) — collects nectar and pollen, aiding plant reproduction. - **Eats:** California Seed Bug (*Nysius californicus*) — feeds on the seeds of various plants, including larkspur. ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Biennial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/biennial): Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second. - [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. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or eat any wildflowers without asking an adult first. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Menzies' 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 Menzies' Larkspur? 10-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Menzies' Larkspur? 2-4 cm ### When does Menzies' Larkspur bloom? Spring to early Summer ### Is Menzies' Larkspur edible? No ### Is Menzies' Larkspur toxic? Deadly ### What is Menzies' Larkspur's lifecycle? Perennial ### How is Menzies' Larkspur pollinated? Insect ## Where to spot - [Jáji7em and Kw’ulh Marine Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/j-ji7em-and-kwulh-marine-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Fort Hoskins](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-hoskins) — Oregon, US · Park - [Matheson Lake Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/matheson-lake-regional-park) — British Columbia, CA · Park - [Mount Wells Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-wells-regional-park) — British Columbia, CA · Park - [Sooke Mountain Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sooke-mountain-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Menzies' Larkspur](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/menzies-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: [Menzies' Larkspur: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/menzies-larkspur)