P h o t o b y K S N P C S t a f f
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Habitat:
Dry woods, prairies, sandhills (Gleason & Cronquist 1991); edges of cedar glades.
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Species Description:
Perennial herb.
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Phenology:
Flowering Period: Early May to late July.
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Additional Information at NatureServe
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Diagnostic Characteristics:
White-flowered perennial herbs over 4 dm tall (disnguishing this species from the common larkspur). The lower petal of the pale blue spurred flowers is bifid (divided in two). The fruit (a follicle) stand are erect or vertical (not spreading). The leaves are deeply dissected into narrow segments and at antithesis have usually fallen off. Delphiniums have the upper two petals of the flowers spurred. These plants occurr associated with dry woods, glades, prairies.
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Management:
Woody plant invasion may need to be controlled using periodic prescribed fire, mowing or other means. Timber removal may be beneficial. Hand removal of trees in the vicinity is needed to maintain the open character of the habitat for this species. Soil disturbance such as ATV trails or timber removal or any activity that results in increased erosion and weed invasion will be detrimental. Exotic pest plants are a threat to this species.
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Global Range:
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Known Kentucky Occurrences:
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