[Larkspurs: The Genus Delphinium West of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]
Cliff Larkspur, Menzies' Larkspur
Delphinium menziesii
Synonyms: Delphinium menziesii ssp. menziesii, Delphinium menziesii ssp. pyramidale, Delphinium menziesii var. menziesii, Delphinium menziesii var. pyramidale
The photo above shows a close-up frontal view of the flower of Menzies' larkspur as seen along trail #3385 in meadows about one-quarter mile north of Moon Point in the Willamette National Forest.......July 12, 2008.
The photo at right shows cliff larkspur as seen in the Three Sisters Wilderness to the north of Todd Lake.
Characteristics:
Menzies' or cliff larkspur is a common mountain dwelling larkspur, although it can be found to low elevation in the Columbia River Gorge. It is
a hairy perennial, commonly with a single, sparsely branched stem standing up
to 60 cm tall. The leaves are alternate and mostly basal. They are palmately
divided and lobed. The stem leaves become smaller and bract-like.
The flowers
are bilaterally symmetrical, with the five sepals being bright blue and showy.
A long nectar bearing spur projects from the rear of the flower. The four petals
are smaller, centrally located, and whitish with purplish or bluish lines. The
flowers are situated in loose to dense, but short racemes.
Cliff larkspur is
a poisonous and should not be eaten!
Habitat:
Shaded cliffs and rocky banks from sea side to prairie.
Range:
Menzies' larkspur is found from British Columbia south to Mendocino County in
California, primarily from the coast inland to the western slopes of the Cascade
Mts, and eastward to mid-gorge in the Columbia River Gorge.
The photo above shows a close-up sideview of the flower of Menzies' larkspur as seen along trail #3385 in meadows about one-quarter mile north of Moon Point in the Willamette National Forest......July 12, 2008.
The photo above shows Menzies' larkspur as seen along trail #3385 in meadows about one-quarter mile north of Moon Point in the Willamette National Forest.........................July 12, 2008.
- 
- 
These 3 photos show close-up views of cliff larkspur as seen atop King Mt. in the King Mt. Rock Garden ACEC in the Umpqua N.F........June 25, 2005. Click each photo to see an enlarged version (2x).
- 
- 
Cliff larkspur blooming along the steep connector trail that ascends the south side of Klahhane Ridge, Olympic National Park.........July 27, 2014.
- 
- 
Menzie's larkspur as seen around the trailhead for the King Mountain Rock Garden ACEC in northeastern Josephine County, OR........June 11, 2017.
Cliff Larkspur (Delphinium menziesii var. pyramidale) from cliffs
above Road N68 at Grassy Knoll, Gifford Pinchot N.F.....6/30/90.
Paul Slichter