Delphinium – Used By Native American Indians to Repel the Scourge of Scorpions
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts
| Common name | Delphinium |
| Scientific name | Delphinium |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Ranunculales |
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Type | Perennials, about 300 species |
| Habitat | Full sun, rich, moist, well-drained soil |
| Native range | Northern Hemisphere and high mountains of tropical Africa |
| Flowering season | Early summer to late fall |
| Height | 10 cm to 2 m |
| Special feature | Also called larkspur; name means dolphin |
The delphinium is a particular variety of plants consisting of around 300 types of perennial flowering plants belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. You can find them throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including tropical Africa’s high mountains. The annually flowering species of the Consolida genus and the perennial Delphiniums share a common name, “larkspur.” The molecular structure indicates that Consolida and Aconitella, a separate genus can trace their origins to Delphinium. The name “delphinium” derives from the Latin word for “dolphin”. The Native American Indians used delphinium flowers to repel the scourge of scorpions.
Anatomy
The leaves have sharp lobes; 3 to 7 of them have tooth like projections similar to the shape of a palm leaf. The primary flowering stem is vertical. Based on their species; they vary largely in size from 10cm in certain alpines to 2 meter height in the bigger meadowland varieties.
How to cultivate domestically
Preparation for Planting
Photo by: Stan Shebs
Delphinium plants are so elegant, that it is worth the trouble you would take to grow them. They require total sunlight and a soil that is excellent, properly drained to depths and uniformly moist, containing enough of humus in it. Add agricultural lime in case the soil is much more acidic. The delphiniums endure any type of food; feed them with well-rotted compost or manure and benefit from treatment with 5-10-5 fertilizers yearly. The hollow stalks of the flower, even though strong, are likely to break in the breeze, so protect the growing area well from the high winds. Following the dictates of delphinium plant care normally gives best flower results.
Planting
- Grow your delphinium in well-drained, fertile soil, sheltered from strong winds and ensure full sunlight.
- Plant your delphinium seeds during spring. Set up the soil by mixing 2 – 4 inches of compost.
- You may face difficulties growing delphiniums from seeds, right away in your garden, so buy them as potted plants from the nursery.
- Make a hole as twice the diameter of the plant’s container. While planting, be certain that the root ball’s top is level with the soil.
- During spring, spread out wood ashes, lime or a healthy combination of the two on this alkaline-loving perennial.
Placement and Watering
Do not let your delphinium plants to get dry. Allow the soil to remain uniformly moist by which the roots become cool. You can do this by depositing good organic mulch to a thickness of 3 to 4,“or use compost. During spring, water sufficiently, and afterwards it starts its second season’s growth.
Flowering Period
Delphinium’s climax flowering time is beginning to middle of summer and continues to late fall. The bloom time prolongs for a week, to facilitate the variation in blooming time of different plants.
After-Bloom Care
After delphiniums have ceased blooming, cut the stalks of the flower to the level of the ground, you see fresh and small flower stalks starting to shoot up. The flowers stay on until the onset of the cooler days and mild frost.
As Cut Flowers
Photo by: C.T. Johansson
These dainty flowers make for ideal cut flowers. Take the flowers into your house, as soon as they open and you will see the flowers bloom once again. Add sugar to the water in the vase to prolong the life of the cut flowers.
Delphinium FAQs
How many kinds of delphinium are there?
There are around 300 species of perennial delphinium. They grow across the Northern Hemisphere and on the high mountains of tropical Africa.
Why is it called delphinium?
The name comes from the Latin word for dolphin. Delphiniums and the yearly Consolida plants share the common name larkspur.
How tall do delphiniums grow?
It depends on the type. Small alpine species are only 10 cm tall, but the largest meadow species reach 2 metres.
When do delphiniums bloom?
Delphiniums bloom from early or mid summer until late fall. If you cut the stalks to the ground after the first flowers, new smaller stalks grow.
How did Native Americans use delphinium?
Native American people used delphinium flowers to keep scorpions away.
Randi Jones is the owner and founder of the Nature Gift Store, an online retailer specializing in nature-themed gifts, educational science projects, live animal nature kits and real butterfly artwork. A biology graduate who fell in love with insects, she founded the company in 2001 to make active learning about nature fun, accessible and engaging for children and adults. Her store offers real butterfly frames, home and garden decor and educational live animal kits, including ant farms, worm farms, tadpoles, ladybugs and hermit crabs, and she runs a bug museum in Washington featuring live animals like Eddie the Iguana alongside other reptiles and insects.
