Roots 2-8-branched, fusiform, fascicled, 3-8(-15) cm, ± fleshy; buds minute. Stems 1(-2) per root, usually unbranched, elongation delayed 4-16 weeks after leaf initiation; base not narrowed, firmly attached to root. Leaves basal and cauline, largest near base of stem, others often abruptly smaller on distal portion of stem; basal petioles spreading, cauline petioles ascending; basal leaves more rounded and with fewer, wider lobes than cauline leaves. Inflorescences usually with 3-8 flowers per 5 cm, ± dense, cylindric; pedicel appressed-ascending, usually less than 2 cm; bracts markedly smaller and fewer lobed than leaves. Fruits erect. Seeds crescent-shaped to obpyramidal, 1.5-2.5 × 0.8-1.8 mm, not ringed, not wing-margined; seed coats with prominent multicellular, transverse, wavy ridges, cells ± brick-shaped, cell margins straight.

Distribution

North America, n Mexico.

Discussion

Species 3 (3 in the flora).

Selected References

Warnock, M. J. 1981. Biosystematics of the Delphinium carolinianum complex (Ranunculaceae). Syst. Bot. 6: 38-54.

Lower Taxa

Delphinium carolinianum, Delphinium madrense, Delphinium wootonii

Key

1	Sepals white to lavender, reflexed; leaves grayish pubescent with short hairs.	Delphinium wootonii
1	Sepals white to blue; if lavender, then not reflexed and leaves not grayish pubescent.	> 2
2	Plants with combination of midcauline leaf blades round with at least 7 lobes more than 3/10 length of longest lobe; sepals dark to light blue; distalmost petiole immediately below inflorescence at least 1 cm long.	Delphinium madrense
2	Plants deviating in at least one feature from combination above; sepals purple to blue to white; distalmost petiole immediately below inflorescence less than 0.5(–1) cm long.	Delphinium carolinianum