Plant Indices
- Alphabetical Index (Genera)
- Alphabetical Index (Vernacular)
- Cladistic Index
LARKSPUR (Consolida and Delphinium)
Family: Ranunculaceae
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| Dark Blue Larkspur |
Asia, East
- Chinese: Mao Cui Hua, Yun Kui Hua
Asia, Northern
- Russian: Jadviga
Europe, Central
- Czech: Ostrozka
- German: Hahnenfuss, Rittersporn
- Polish: Ostroga, Ostrozka
Europe, Northern
- Danish: Ridderspore, Strangurt
- Finnish: Ritarikannus
- Swedish: Riddarsporre
Europe, Southern
- Galician: Caballeira
- Italian: Speronella
- Latin: Consolida, Staphisagria
- Portuguese: Esporas, Esporas-Bravas
- Spanish: Espuela De Caballero
Europe, Western
- Dutch: Ridderspoor
- English: Larkspur, Delphinium, Knight's Spur, Lark's Claw, Lark's Heel, Lark's Toe
- French: Dauphinelle, Pied D'alouette
- Africa, Central: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda
- Africa, Eastern: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia
- Africa, Northern: Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Western Sahara
- Africa, Western: Nigeria
- America, North: Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, Yukon), Mexico, United States (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming)
- Asia, Central: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia (Altay, Tuva, West Siberia), Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Xinjiang
- Asia, East: China, Korea, Russia (Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Islands, Magadan, Primorye, Yakutiya)
- Asia, Northern: Russia
- Asia, South: Afghanistan, East Himalaya, India (Assam), Nepal, Pakistan
- Asia, Southeast: Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
- Asia, Western: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey
- Europe, Central: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland
- Europe, Eastern: Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine
- Europe, Northern: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
- Europe, Southern: Greece, Italy, Portugal (Madeira), Spain (Baleares, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily)
- Europe, Western: Belgium, France
Named for the seed pod's resemblance to a particular bird's toe claw, "Larkspur" is a term that refers to two closely related genera under the Buttercup family. These genera are distinguished primarily by a the number of petals. Delphinium has four distinct petals, while Consolida has one united petal in the same shape as Delphinium. Consolida is also uniformly composed of annuals, while Delphinium is mostly perennials. They're regarded as the same clade. For our interests as writers, they are functionally synonymous. As such, their shared qualities will be prefaced in this shared genera entry.
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| Consolida ajacis |
Dolphin
The name Delphinium is derived from the Greek delphínion, used in De Materia Medica. Dioscorides identified this name (obviously) with the flowers' resemblance to a dolphin. That gives this plant access to all the zoological symbolism of the [dolphin].
Scorpion
The plant's flowers also resemble the stinger of a scorpion. Between its medical/magical associations and the zoomorphic resemblance, the plant has access to both the meanings of the [scorpion] as well as the antithesis.
Victorian Flower Language
Both Greenaway and Roux identify the larkspur with lightness or levity, due to its relationship to the lark and happy, uplifting qualities of that bird's song. Roux identifies this as synergizing with the purple petals (majesty) reaching up to the heavens.
However, the larkspur conveys negative implications as well. Larkspurs come in a variety of colors, and Greenaway tells us the same purple that Roux associates with levity convey haughtiness, and the pink larkspur is an emblem of fickleness.
Other Flower Language
Less-concrete attributions we've come across over the course of our research identify larkspur with the fluffy notions of "compassion," "infinite possibility," and "overcoming limits." They can convey to the recipient that the sender considers them "big-hearted," and more substantially it's an emblem of "ardent attachment."
A meaning of still dubious but meatier quality is "crossing boundaries."
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| A garden Delphinium cultivar. |
This is an incredibly popular garden plant.
Larkspur has seen historical use in the production of blue dye. When the flower's juice is mixed with alum, it produces a blue ink.
Scorpion-Repellent
Admittedly, this Compiler is having difficulty sourcing our own note on this, but apparently larkspur was thought to repel scorpions. We suspect this has a relationship to its use as a treatment for scorpion stings and snake bites.
The medieval physician Al-Tamimi identified use of larkspur (more specifically Delphinium peregrinum) in the Levant for this purpose, in the form of elixirs.
This association with the scorpion is likely following the logic of "doctrine of signatures," as the flower resembles the telson of a scorpion (scorpioid). The inclusion of snake bites is probably just the homogenization of venom under the same principle.
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.
Was used historically in elixir to treat scorpion and snake bites.
All parts of either species contain alkaloids* toxic to humans and livestock, especially the seeds. This toxicity reduces with age, so many ranchers opt to delay moving cattle onto high-elevation grazing land, to minimize risk of poisoning.
Larkspur poisoning can cause:
- Digestive issues
- Skin irritation
- Neuromuscular seizure
- Cardiac arrest
These effects occur within a few hours of ingestion.
*These alkaloids are diterpenoid, most notably methyllycaconitine. They have "cardiotoxic and neuromuscular blocking effects," which we're pretty sure means they interfere with neurotransmitters.
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| Jadwar Powder |
- This compiler suspects that the association of pink larkspur with fickleness is because, in Greenaway's time, pink larkspurs were annuals.
- While consistent with the "overcoming limits" and "infinite possibility" meaning, the phrasing "crossing boundaries" can suggest impropriety or transgression. This sort of language is far more adaptive for our purposes, making larkspur a reagent of spurit manifestation. This synergizes with the name "larkspur," indicating the physical grip of a bird (an emblem of spirit) on the world (concrete matter).
- "Knight's spur" suggests use as a reagent for taming or compelling horses.
- "Knight's spur" may be employed more abstractly to string along those seeking status through service or valor. Could be used in a curse to drive an ambitious and skillful or talented individual off of their career path. Good for court or office intrigue.
- "Knight's spur" could also be useful for one's reputation when dealing with those above one's own station, such as a man of common birth walking among the landed gentry as a peer. To this end, a phylactery ring or sachet might do best.
- The ink and dye made from the larkspur gives whatever is written or dyed with it access to the qualities of the plant.
- Larkspur ink might be good for communication between political confidants, being "repellant" to "scorpions" who might otherwise intercept the communique.
- The contrast between the dolphin and the scorpion seems like an opportunity for some terrible chimera. Pack-hunting, echo-locating Eurypterids?
- Less dramatically, it could indicate that under the happy facade of the dolphin hides a scorpion, like the cheery office gossip who stabs you in the back. Great heraldic device for a wolf in sheep's clothing.
- Alternately, it could work for someone falsely identified as the scorpion, but who is temperamentally closer to the dolphin.
- Do something with a scorpion-themed knight.
- National device of lark fighting a scorpion?
Common Larkspur (Consolida regalis syn. Delphinium consolida)
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| Consolida regalis |
- German: Blauer Rittersporn, Feld-Rittersporn, Rittersporn
- Hungarian: Sarkaslabfaj
- Polish: Ostroga Polna, Ostrożka Polna
- Danish: Kornridderspore
- Finnish: Peltoristikki, Ritarinkannuslaji
- Swedish: Akerriddarsporre
- Italian: Speronella Consolida
- Portuguese: Consolda-Real, Esporas
- Spanish: Aguileña Real, Caballera, Espuela De Caballero
- Dutch: Koren-Ridderspoor, Wilde Ridderspoor
- English: Common Larkspur, Bouquet Larkspur, Field Larkspur, Forking Larkspur, Rocket Larkspur, Royal Knight's Spur, Royal Larkspur
- French: Pied D'alouette Consoude, Pied D'alouette Des Champs
- Asia, Central: Kazakhstan, Tajikistan
- Asia, Northern: Russia (Altay, Central European Russia, Chita, East European Russia, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Krym, North Caucasus, North European Russia, Northwest European Russia, South European Russia, West Siberia)
- Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Turkey
- Europe, Central: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland
- Europe, Eastern: Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Ukraine
- Europe, Southern: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia
- Europe, Western: Belgium, France
An annual herbaceous perennial. It grows 30-80cm (12-31in) tall, with an erect, hairy stem that branches at the top. Its roots penetrate the soil up to 50cm (20in) deep, making the plant highly drought-resistant.
The inflorescence produces 5-8 flowers in dark blue or purple, blooming May-Aug. Its seeds ripen Jun-Sept.
Useful in ink production.
- Retained for name, distribution, and production significance.
Candle Larkspur (Delphinium elatum)
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| Delphinium elatum |
Europe, Central
- German: Grosser Rittersporn, Haher Rittersporn, Hohe Rittersporn
Europe, Western
- Dutch: Hoge Ridderspoor
- English: Candle Larkspur, Alpine Delphinium, Alpine Larkspur, Candle Delphinium, Guardian Lavender, Tall Larkspur
- Asia, Central: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia
- Asia, East: China (Xinjiang)
- Asia, Northern: Russia (Altay, Central European Russia, East European Russia, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, North European Russia, South European Russia, Tuva, West Siberia, Yakutskiya)
- Europe, Central: Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland
- Europe, Eastern: Belarus, Romania, Ukraine
- Europe, Southern: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia
- Europe, Western: France
Candle larkspur is an erect herbaceous perennial that grows up to 1.8m (5.9ft) tall in temperate environments. It is temperature hardy, down to −20 °C (−4 °F), but requires full sun exposure in sheltered areas (presumably meaning shielded from the wind).
It produces spikes of blue or purple flowers in the summer, but its cultivars range in color from the natural blue and purple to pink, cream, and white.
This species of larkspur is the source of many garden cultivars, thriving in the shelter of gardens with deep, rich soil. It is, however, fragile, and it is advised to stake the plant to avoid collapsing flower heads. Handle with gloves to avoid exposure to the plant's poisons.
The plant, like most other larkspurs, is poisonous, and can cause severe discomfort if ingested, even incidentally.
- These larkspurs can be huge. Do something with that.
- The name "candle larkspur" suggests possible uses. It might resemble a candle, but perhaps it has historical use as a taper, much like mullien ("hedge taper"). This also suggests magical use as a candle, lighting up from a whispered word.
- The name "guardian lavender" suggests use in warding and abjuration, on top of its conflation with lavender (due to color, presumably). This could also be expanded to indicate the character of fae/sprites that reside in the plant.
Chinese Larkspur (Delphinium grandiflorum)
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| Delphinium grandiflorum |
- Chinese: Yun Kui
- German: Grossblutiger Rittersporn
- English: Chinese Larkspur, Bouquet Delphinium, Bouquet Larkspur, Chinese Delphinium, Dwarf Delphinium, Dwarf Larkspur, Mongolian Delphinium, Mongolian Larkspur, Siberian Delphinium, Siberian Larkspur, Sichuan Delphinium, Sichuan Larkspur
- Asia, Central: Kazakhstan, Mongolia
- Asia, East: China (North-Central, South-Central, Southeast, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai), North Korea, South Korea
- Asia, Northern: Russia (Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Tuva, Yakutskiya)
This larkspur is technically a perennial, but it is short-lived and its ability to return the next season is highly unpredictable, making this plant a practical annual for gardeners. Unlike many other larkspurs, its flowers are dispersed rather than growing in single spikes.
This species is regarded as having the most intense blue of any larkspur, though this is subject to cultivar, individual plant, blossom freshness, and growth conditions. However, when all is right, the pigment is so intense that the flower appears to glow or fluoresce in sunlight.
Otherwise, the plant can appear in the following colors: deep to pale blue, white, and a pale pink. Unlike other cultivated larkspurs, this plant has no lavender variety.
Popular in gardening, this plant's perennial unpredictability lends gardeners to purchase plants whole from nurseries than to grow them from seed. The seeds are relatively expensive compare to those of rocket larkspurs and spike-type delphiniums.
It's a larkspur, so it's poisonous.
- The intensity of the blue when conditions are right suggests the intensity of an ideal [sapphire.] A "sapphire larkspur" could be an emblem of a "reasonable but difficult goal," compared to the divine paradoxes of something like the [Philosopher's Stone.]
- A "sapphire larkspur" in a magical context has access to the full range of virtues and malefics of the sapphire gemstone. The juice of the blossom is now, functionally, liquid sapphire.
Jadwar (Delphinium denudatum)
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| Delphinium denudatum |
- Hindi: Jadwar
- Sanskrit: Nirbisi
- Urdu: Judwar
- Asia, South: Afghanistan, India, Pakistan
Biome: Outer Himalayas.
Jadwar is a perennial larkspur that grows in the outer ranges of the Himalayas with an altitude range of 2,400-3,600m (8,000-12,000ft) above sea level.
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.
Jadwar is employed in the folk medicine of India, especiallly Unani medicine. The root of the plant is preferred, and has been identified with the following medical virtues:
- [Aconite] poisoning
- Analgesic
- Antifungal
- Astringent
- Brain diseases
- Piles (hemorrhoids)
- Toothache
Opium Addiction
Jadwar has been referenced in classical literature of the region as being effective in treating opium addiction. According to our sources, this has been studied as having some validity, though the same studies indicate misidentification of species in the folk use, which also lead to Delphinium poisoning.
Still a Larkspur, treat with caution.
- The use of Jadwar to treat aconite poisoning suggest it could be used as an antagonist to any of the properties magically ascribed to wolfsbane, being effective for counterspells, counter-curses, and disenchantment. Alternately, Jadwar could be used as a preventative, preempting use of wolfsbane.
Musk Larkspur (Delphinium brunonianum)
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| Delphinium brunonianum |
- Chinese: Xiang Cui Hua
- English: Musk Larkspur, Musky Larkspur
- Asia, Central: Tajikistan, Tibet
- Asia, South: Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan
- Asia, West: Iran, Iraq
Biome: Stony mountain slopes and screes.
Musk Larkspur grows up to 10-25cm (3.9-9.8in) tall. It grows at altitudes of 4,300-5,500m (14,100-18,000ft) above sea level on rocky mountains and screes.
This larkspur produces racemes with 5-10 blue or purple cup-shaped flowers, which produce a strong, musky odor that lends this species its name. This larkspur blooms from July-Sept.
- Retained for names and distribution.
Rocket Larkspur (Consolida ajacis syn. Delphinium ajacis)
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| Consolida ajacis |
- German: Gartenrittersporn
- Hungarian: Kerti Szarkalab
- Polish: Ostroga Polna, Ostroga Wielobarwna, Ostrożka Ogrodowa
- Croatian: Kraljičica
- Spanish: Espuela De Caballero
- Dutch: Jachtridderspoor, Somerkoninkje, Tuinridderspoor
- English: Rocket Larkspur, Ajax's Larkspur, Annual Delphinium, Doubtful Knight's Spur, Garden Larkspur, Rocket Larkspur
- French: Douphine, Jardins Pied D'alouette, Pied D'alouette, Pied D'alouette Des Jardins
- Asia, Central: Tibet, Turkmenistan
- Asia, Northern: Russia (North Caucasus)
- Asia, South: Afghanistan, Pakistan
- Asia, Southeast: Vietnam
- Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey
- Europe, Eastern: Bulgaria
- Europe, Southern: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece (Crete, East Aegean Islands), Italy (Corsica, Sicily), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia
- Europe, Western: France
Annual larkspur popular in gardens, capable of growing up to 1m (3.2ft) tall. It flowers from June to October in Europe.
The markings in its interior sometimes resemble the letters "A I A," which is why it came to be associated with the Greek hero Ajax, of Illiad fame.
By virtue of its association with Ajax, we read this species as indicating rage, strength, shame, and suicide.
Mythical Origin
In one version of the myths of the Trojan War, Ajax lost the argument over the ownership of Achilles' armor to the silver-tongued Odysseus, and in his rage he went out and slaughtered the cattle of his Greek companions (Skinner identifies these as sheep). When he came back to his senses, he was so overcome with shame at what he had done that he buried his sword and threw himself upon it. The blood that poured from the fatal wound seeped into the soil, and from that blood sprang Ajax's larkspur.
- This is an excellent reagent for rage curses, especially if the caster of the curse intends for the target to follow the same pattern: rage → regret/shame → suicide.
Violet Larkspur (Delphinium peregrinum)
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| Delphinium peregrinum |
- Spanish: Espuela De Caballero
- English: Violet Larkspur, Broad-Sepaled Larkspur, Migrant Larkspur, Three-Horned Larkspur
- French: Pied D'alouette Des Champs, Pied D'alouette Voyageur
- Asia, West: Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Turkey
- Europe, Eastern: Bulgaria
- Europe, Southern: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece (Crete, East Aegean Islands), Italy (Sicily), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia
Biome: Fields, scrubland, chalk terraces.
The violet larkspur grows 17-35cm (6.6-13.8in) tall, with deep purple to lavender flowers that resemble scorpion tails (scorpioid).
Grows in heavy soil and fields with ample sunlight and lots of rainfall. Also grows on chalkstone terraces and loess soil (wind-blown sediment). It grows in field (both cultivated and cultivated) and in low scrubland (garrigue).
A closely related species, Delphinium ithaburense, is distinguished by its fleshy pink leaves.
Preferred larkspur for dye and ink production.
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.
This species of larkspur was used in the Levant as an antidote for scorpion stings and snake bites, in the form of an elixir/potion. According to Al-Tamimi, it automatically (instantly?) cured patients bitten or stung.
These anti-venom properties, as far as this compiler can ascertain, remain untested.
Violet larkspur is a larkspur, and therefore poisonous, with all parts of the plant containing saponins and alkaloids that attack or suppress the nervous system. These plants are particularly hazardous around livestock, as if they are eaten the poisons can pass onto humans through milk and meat.
- The purported rapidity of its anti-venom effectiveness could lend it as a quickening reagent for counterspells and counter-curses, especially those pertaining snakes and scorpions/spiders.
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Prestigious Plants
- Plants
- Flowers
- Trees
- Ferns
- Moss and Lichen [Pending]
- Fungi [Pending]
- Cladistic Index
- Herbal Medicine [Pending]
- Resin, Incense, Balsam, and Lacquer [Pending]
Other Ranunculales
- Berberidaceae
- Lardizabalaceae
- Papaveraceae
- Ranunculaceae
- Adonis/Anemone/Pasque
- Buttercup/Water Crowfoot
- Clematis
- Columbine
- Coptis
- Hellebore
- Hepatica
- Love in a Mist
- Monkshood/Wolfsbane
[Img 01 - https://silverfallsseed.com/product/larkspur-rocket-dark-blue-purple/ ]
[Img 02 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Consolida_ajacis_sl3.jpg ]
[Img 03 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Delphinium.jpg ]
[Img 04 - https://chiltanpure.com/products/jadwar-delphinium-denudatum-powder ]
[Img 05 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Consolida_regalis_030705.jpg ]
[Img 06 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Delphinium_elatum_-_panoramio.jpg ]
[Img 07 - https://www.sandysplants.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=607 ]
[Img 08 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Delphinium_denudatum_1.jpg ]
[Img 09 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogernix/29334202273 ]
[Img 10 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolida_ajacis#/media/File:Consolida_ajacis_espol%C3%B3n.jpg ]
[Img 11 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DELPHINIUM_PEREGRINUM_-_TORA-2.JPG ]
-Greenaway, Kate. Language of Flowers. George Routleage and Sons.
-Roux, Jessica. Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2020.
-Skinner, Charles M. "Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees, Fruits, and Plants : In All Ages and in All Climes : Skinner, Charles M. (Charles Montgomery), 1852-1907 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming." Internet Archive, Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott Co., 1 Jan. 1970, https://archive.org/details/mythslegendsoffl00skin.
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolida )
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolida_ajacis )
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolida_regalis )
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphinium )
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphinium_brunonianum )
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphinium_denudatum )
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphinium_elatum )
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphinium_grandiflorum )
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphinium_peregrinum )
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