LARKSPUR, the popular name for species of Delphinium, a genus of hardy herbaceous plants belonging to the family Ran unculaceae (q.v.). They are of erect branching habit, with the flowers in terminal racemes, often of considerable length. Blue is the predominating colour, but purple, pink, yellow (D. sul phureum), scarlet (D. cardinale) and white also occur; the "spur" is produced by the elongation of the upper sepal. The field or rocket larkspur (D. Ajacis), the branching larkspur (D. Consol ida), D. cardio-petalum and their varieties, are charming annuals; height about 18 in. The spotted larkspur (D. requienii) and a few others are biennials. The perennial larkspurs, however, are the most gorgeous of the family. There are upwards of 150 species, natives of the old and new worlds, and a great number of varieties, raised chiefly from D. exaltatum, D. formosum and D. grandiflorum. Members vary from 2 ft. to 6 ft. in height.
The larkspurs are of easy cultivation, either in beds or herba ceous borders; the soil should be deeply dug and manured. The annual varieties are best sown early in April, where they are intended to flower, and suitably thinned out as growth is made.
The perennial kinds are increased by the division of existing plants in spring, or by cuttings taken in spring or autumn and rooted in pots in cold frames. The varieties cannot be perpetu
ated with certainty by seed. Seed is the most popular means, however, of raising larkspurs in the majority of gardens, and is suitable for all ordinary pur poses; it should be sown as soon as gathered, preferably in rows in nursery beds, and the young plants transplanted when ready. They should be fit for the bor ders in the spring of the following year.
In North America there are upwards of 5o native species, widely distributed in the United States and southern Canada, but most numerous in the Rocky Mountain region and on the Pa cific coast, 16 being found in California. Many have exceed ingly handsome flowers and va rious species are poisonous to grazing animals. Noteworthy representatives are the tall lark spur (D. exaltatum), of the east ern States; the Carolina larkspur (D. carolinianum), of the South ern States; the prairie larkspur (D. virescens), of the interior plains ; the western larkspur (D. occidentale), of the higher Rocky Mountains; and the scarlet larkspur (D. cardinale), of coastal California.