Desert larkspur facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Desert larkspur |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Delphinium
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| Species: |
parishii
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The desert larkspur, known scientifically as Delphinium parishii, is a pretty flowering plant. It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, which is also called the buttercup family. This plant naturally grows in the Mojave Desert.
You can find it in the southwestern United States and parts of northwest Mexico. In Southern California, it also grows in places like the Tehachapi Mountains and Transverse Ranges. It even appears in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains.
This plant likes to live in desert areas with shrubs. It grows at elevations from about 300 to 2,500 meters (about 980 to 8,200 feet) high. You can spot it in California, Arizona, southwestern Utah, and Baja California.
About the Desert Larkspur Plant
The desert larkspur is a perennial plant. This means it lives for many years, not just one season. It is also an herbaceous plant, which means it has soft stems, not woody ones like a tree.
It usually grows to be about 17 to 60 centimeters (7 to 24 inches) tall. Sometimes, it can even reach up to 100 centimeters (39 inches) tall. Its leaves are shaped a bit like a hand with fingers, called "palmately lobed." Often, these leaves dry up by the time the flowers bloom.
What Do Desert Larkspur Flowers Look Like?
The flowers of the desert larkspur are quite interesting because their colors can change. The color often depends on where the plant is growing. Near Joshua Tree National Park, the flowers might be dark blue or purplish.
In the eastern and northern parts of the desert, you might see sky-blue flowers. In some areas of California, the flowers can even be pink! Each flower can also have many colors at once. The upper petals are often white, while the nectar spur (a part of the flower that holds nectar) might be darker blue or purple. The sepals, which are like small leaves protecting the bud, are often light blue with darker tips. These beautiful flowers usually bloom between April and June.
See also
In Spanish: Delphinium parishii para niños
