Flower ID: IMG_2177.JPG-06-29-2022 Flower name (scientific): Delphinium ajacis Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) del-FIN-ee-um a-JAY-sis Flower name (common): Giant Larkspur Family name (common): Buttercup Family name (scientific): Ranunculaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Originally from Greek delphin for dolphin, a name used by Dioscorides to describe the supposed resemblance of the unopened flower appearance to classical sculptures of dolphins. Specific epithet: Latin for Ajax, from Greek mythology, hero at the siege of Troy. Common name origin: From the size of the plant. Larkspur is a compounding of lark and spur. The spur refers to the spur-shaped nectary of the flower, which supposedly resembles the claws of the lark. Flower description: Size: 1.0 to 2.0 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm), spur 12 to 20 mm. Petal count: 4 Color: blue or purple Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Size: 24 to 40 inches (60 to 100 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, orbiculate (FNA) or broadly ovate in outline, deeply palmately dissected. Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Introduced Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): June to July Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Annual Habitat: Disturbed areas, waste areas, roadsides, cultivated, sun. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes from Wisconsin. The Cherokee used the plant to treat heart issues (Moerman, p. 173, 1998). Latitude: 44.806902 Longitude: -91.529258 Altitude: 248.70 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Dane, Eau Claire, Iowa, Milwaukee, Monroe, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Taylor, Walworth, Winnebago) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (BC, MB, ON, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym(s): Wetland Status (NC): Not listed Wetland Status (MW): Not listed