Delphinium californicum facts for kids
Delphinium californicum is a species of larkspur known as California larkspur. This beautiful wildflower is found only in California, making it a special plant that grows nowhere else in the world! You can find it on the sunny, brushy slopes of the San Francisco Bay Area and along the Central Coast.
Quick facts for kids Delphinium californicum |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Delphinium
|
| Species: |
californicum
|
What Does California Larkspur Look Like?
The California larkspur grows from a long root deep in the ground. It sends up tall stems that can reach over a meter (about 3 feet) high, and sometimes even nearly two meters (over 6 feet)!
Its Leaves
The leaves grow on long stalks called petioles. Each leaf is divided into many parts, sometimes as many as 15, that look like pointed fingers.
Its Flowers
At the very top of the stem, you'll find a very large cluster of flowers. This cluster, called an inflorescence, usually has more than 50 individual flowers!
Each flower sits on its own small stem, called a pedicel, which can be several centimeters long. The outer parts of the flower, called sepals, point forward. They form a cup shape at the opening of the flower, which is somewhat like a tube. The longest sepals are about a centimeter (less than half an inch) long. The flower also has a "spur" at the back, which can be almost two centimeters long.
The flowers usually come in soft colors like white, greenish-white, or light lavender.
