Roots 3-8-branched, (5-)15-24(-80) cm, twisted fibrous, dry to fleshy, thin threadlike segments apparent nearly entire length; buds sometimes more than 3 mm, usually absent during dormant season. Stems 1(-4) per root, usually unbranched, elongation delayed 2-10 weeks after leaf initiation; base usually not narrowed, firmly attached to root; proximal internodes much shorter than those of midstem. Leaves basal and cauline, largest near base of stem, others usually 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 2-9 flowers per 5 cm, open to dense, cylindric-narrow-pyramidal, spurs rarely intersecting rachis; pedicel spreading to ascending, often more than 2 cm, rachis to midpedicel angle more than 30°; bracts usually smaller and fewer lobed than leaves. Fruits erect. Seeds rectangular to crescent-shaped, 2-3.5 × 1.3-2.5 mm, not ringed on proximal end, wing-margined or not; seed coats ± covered with small irregular wavy ridges, cells short (less than 3 times longer than wide), cell margins usually straight.

Distribution

North America, Mexico.

Discussion

Species 12 (5 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Delphinium cardinale, Delphinium geraniifolium, Delphinium geyeri, Delphinium scopulorum, Delphinium stachydeum

Key

1	Sepals red.	Delphinium cardinale
1	Sepals bluish or purplish, rarely white, extremely rarely pink, not red.	> 2
2	Flowers ± bright blue, sepals with lighter median line adaxially; leaf blade light green, veins obscure; leaf lobe apex gradually tapering to point.	> 3
2	Flowers purple to blue (if bright blue, then lower stems glabrous), sepal color ± uniform; leaf blade dark green, at least adaxially, veins prominent; leaf lobe apex abruptly tapered, usually mucronate.	> 4
3	Leaf blade sparsely puberulent; stems more than (40–)70 cm.	Delphinium stachydeum
3	Leaf blade densely puberulent; stems less than 60(–80) cm.	Delphinium geyeri
4	Midstems and leaf blades pubescent; sepals dark blue to purple.	Delphinium geraniifolium
4	Midstems and leaf blades glabrous to subglabrous; sepals bright dark blue.	Delphinium scopulorum