Upland larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum) is a perennial which grows from a tuberous many-branched root.  Tall stalks rise 15 – 40 cm. Most of the leaves are basal.  The leaves are palmate and divided/lobed.  Purple/blue flowers emerge at the top of stems and on long pedicels.     The petals tend to be lighter colored (blue-whitish) and the sepals are usually blue-violet and curl backward.    The upper sepal has a long spur.   The upper part of the plant is hairy.

Upland larkspur blooms in spring.    We can see the flowers in our grasslands, open forests, and in mid-to-subalpine meadows and glades.   After flowering, capsules form and follicles with black seeds are later dispersed.

Because of the anatomy of the nectar-producing area at the top of the inflorescence, only pollinators with long feeding parts can benefit from the nectar (like butterflies and bumblebees).   Larkspur is poisonous and cattle may be prone to poisoning.

We spot the first leaves in the lower valley in March and by April the first flowers appear.    Larkspur can still be spotted in the first half of summer in alpine meadows.

All photos by the author are shared here in a Google Photos album (link).