Forking Larkspur

Forking Larkspur
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Ranunculales
Family:	Ranunculaceae
Genus:	Consolida
Species:	C. regalis
Binomial name
Consolida regalis Gray
Synonyms[1]
Delphinium consolida L. Consolida arvensis Opiz Consolida regalis subsp. arvensis (Opiz) Soó Consolida segetum Schur Delphidium consolida (L.) Raf. Delphinium consolida L. Delphinium consolida subsp. arvense (Opiz) Graebn. & P.Graebn. Delphinium diffusum Stokes Delphinium divaricatum Dulac Delphinium segetum Lam. Delphinium versicolor Salisb.

Consolida regalis, common name: Royal Knight's-spur or Forking Larkspur, is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the genus Consolida of the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae).^[1]

Description

Consolida regalis reaches on average 30–80 centimetres (12–31 in) of height. The stem is erect, hairy and very branched at the top. The roots grow into the soil up to a depth of 50 centimetres (20 in), so the plant can survive long periods of drought. The leaves are alternately arranged. The inflorescence is a cluster with 5-8 hermaphrodite flowers. They are dark blue or purple, with five sepals. The upper sepal is prolonged in a spur of 15–18 millimetres (0.59–0.71 in) long, pointing toward the back. Stamens are 8-10. The flowering period extends from May through August. The flowers are pollinated by hymenoptera and lepidoptera and the seeds ripen from June through September. All plant parts are poisonous in large doses, especially the seeds, that contain up to 1.4% of alkaloids.

Gallery

Plant of Consolida regalis

Flowers of Consolida regalis

Close-up on a flower of Consolida regalis

Flowers of Consolida regalis'

Flowers of Consolida regalis'

Distribution

This plant is native to western Asia and Europe. It is widespread in the central and southern Europe, but it has become quite rare for the increased use of herbicides and intensive soil cultivation.

Habitat

The species is common in crops of cereals, dry weedy places and roadside ditches, growing on sandy or chalky soils. They are present at an altitude of 0–1,200 metres (0–3,900 ft) above sea level.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} USDA, NRCS (2010). "Plants Profile for Consolida regalis (royal knight's-spur)". The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 10 April 2010). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CORE2. Retrieved 2010-04-10. 

• Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia - Edagricole – 1982 - Vol. I, pag. 291
• Consolida regalis

External links

• Biolib
• Global Species