Delphinium
ExplorePlants
Delphinium
Delphinium ajacis
Delphiniums are tall flowers with spikes of blue, purple, or white blooms. They make any garden look magical!
Habitat: Gardens and flower beds
Appearance
The Delphinium has tall, stately flower spikes, often in vivid blues, purples, pinks, or white, with individual flowers featuring a distinctive spur at the back. Its deeply lobed leaves form a neat clump below the colorful bloom.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRanunculalesFamilyRanunculaceaeGenusDelphinium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
"Delphinium" means "dolphin" in Greek, named for its flower buds resembling a leaping dolphin!
Ancient societies once used delphinium flowers to create beautiful blue dyes and inks!
Some delphinium petals contain special pigments that make their blue color even more vibrant!
The tiny spur on each flower acts like a secret hiding place for nectar, attracting thirsty insects!
Special abilities
Ability
Toxic Shield
Delphinium produces powerful toxins that deter hungry animals, helping it survive from being eaten.
Ability
Sky-High Signals
Its tall flower spikes stand out against other plants, making them easy for pollinators to spot.
Ability
Nectar Nudge
Delphinium has a unique spurred flower shape that guides specific pollinators directly to its nectar.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-100 cm
- Spread
- 15-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-4 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to late summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- High
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar and pollen from flowers.
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Visits the spurred flowers for sweet nectar.
eaten by
Black Bean Aphid
Aphis fabae
Sucks sap from stems, potentially causing damage.
eaten by
Garden Snail
Helix aspersa
Grazes on leaves and tender young plant parts.
Traits
Herbaceous
Herbaceous plants are non-woody plants with soft stems that typically die back to the ground at the end of the growing season.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
Larkspur
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Delphinium?
30-100 cm
How wide does Delphinium spread?
15-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Delphinium?
2-4 cm
When does Delphinium bloom?
Late spring to late summer
Is Delphinium edible?
No
Is Delphinium toxic?
High
What is Delphinium's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Delphinium pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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