Delphinium andersonii

This larkspur is a perennial with 1 to several erect, sometimes hollow stems, 15-50 cm tall, from a thick, branching root. The leaves are mostly confined to the lower 1/3 of the stem, the lowest ones withering by flowering time; the leaf blades are usually somewhat fleshy, 2-5 cm broad, and three times dissected into linear or oblong segments; the petioles of the lower leaves are 1-5 times as long as the blades; foliage is glabrous. The open inflorescence has one main stem with 3-15 flowers and usually 1 to several smaller side branches; the spreading sepals are 11-15 mm long and generally deep blue; the uppermost sepal has a long tubular portion (spur) projecting backwards; the lower petals are also deep blue and have a deep notch, 1/4-1/2 the length of the blade; the erect upper petals are whitish with blue tips; the stalk of each flower is 2-4 times the length of the calyx spur. The three-parted seed capsule is usually glabrous.

DELPHINIUM is a very difficult genus, and a technical key should be consulted. Roots are necessary for positive identification.