Delphinium treleasei, commonly known as named glade larkspur or Trelease's larkspur, is a perennial flowering plant found it temperate areas of the eastern United States.[2] It is native to Missouri and Arkansas[2] where it is often situated in limestone glades but is not common in North America. It is endemic to Ozark highlands in eight southwestern Missouri counties and eight counties in northwestern Arkansas. D. treleasei is a vascular, seed plant, part of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae).[3] The name Delphinium treleasei originates from the Greek "delphis" which means dolphin in reference to the flower shape of many buttercups and the specific epithet "treleasei" honors William Trelease who was director of the Missouri Botanical Garden from 1889 to 1912.[4]

Delphinium treleasei

Vulnerable  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Delphinium
Species:
D. treleasei
Binomial name
Delphinium treleasei

Description edit

Delphinium treleasei grows 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) tall and has loose, terminal racemes of blue to blush-purple flowers. These bloom in spring, usually May to June. Flowers are 1 in (25 mm) long, comples, asymmetrical and have five sepals, one is spurred in to a prong that coined the common name, Larkspur. Inflorescences have 5-30 flowers. Deep green leaves are narrowly and deeply divided, pedate in shape, and mostly basal. All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested.[4][5]

Habitat edit

Delphinium treleasei natural habitat is open juniper glades on calcareous substrate.[6]

Conservation edit

Delphinium treleasei is locally abundant but is endemic and limited by microhabitat in its distribution range. It is vulnerable to habitat destruction. There are no current actions for conservation and D. treleasei is unlisted.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Delphinium treleasei - Trelease's Larkspur". NatureServe Explorer. 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Delphinium treleasei Bush". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  3. ^ "Delphinium treleasei Bush ex K.C. Davis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Delphinium treleasei". Plant Finder. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  5. ^ "Delphinium treleasei". Flora of North America. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  6. ^ "Delphinium treleasei Bush ex K.C. Davis Glade Larkspur, Trelease's Larkspur". Plant Database. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved April 17, 2023.