Delphinium bicolor

Stems 10-40(-70) cm; base often reddish, glabrous to puberulent. Leaves mostly on proximal 1/3 of stem; basal leaves (0-)2-7 at anthesis; cauline leaves 3-6 at anthesis; petiole 0.3-8 cm. Leaf blade round, 1-4 × 1.5-7 cm, glabrous to puberulent; ultimate lobes 3-19, width 1-8 mm (basal), 1-3 mm (cauline). Inflorescences 3-12(-22)-flowered; pedicel 1-4(-8) cm, ± puberulent; bracteoles 2-7(-17) mm from flowers, green, sometimes white-margined, lanceolate, 4-6(-8) mm, puberulent. Flowers: sepals dark blue, puberulent, lateral sepals usually spreading, 16-21 × 6-12 mm, spurs straight to gently decurved, ascending 0-40° above horizontal, 13-23 mm; lower petal blades covering stamens, 7-12 mm, clefts 0.1-3 mm; hairs sparse, short, mostly on inner lobes below junction of blade and claw, white or yellow. Fruits (12-)16-22 mm, 4-4.5 times longer than wide, usually puberulent. Seeds often winged; seed coat cells with surfaces ± smooth.

Distribution

w North America.

Discussion

Subspecies 2 (2 in the flora).

Delphinium bicolor is closely related to D. glareosum; it differs in its wider-lobed cauline leaves, shallower petal clefts, and narrower fruits.

The Gosiute consider this plant to be poisonous (D. E. Moerman 1986, subspecies not specified).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Delphinium bicolor subsp. bicolor, Delphinium bicolor subsp. calcicola

Key

1	Sepals (especially in fresh material) dark blue to purple; cleft in lower petals 2 mm or less; soils not derived from limestone.	Delphinium bicolor subsp. bicolor
1	Sepals (especially in fresh material) bright dark blue; cleft in lower petals at least 2 mm; soils derived from limestone.	Delphinium bicolor subsp. calcicola