/Blue%20Jay%20Campground,%20Cleveland%20National%20Forest,%20Riverside%20Co.,%20CA.6-11-11%20095.jpg) Flowers are in open racemes on 1.5 in. stems. Blue Jay Campground, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 6-11-11. © Joan Avise. |
Scarlet Larkspur Delphinium cardinale The tallest of the delphiniums, reaching up to 6 ft. tall. Occasional and patchy on dry slopes in chaparral of Santa Ana Mountains. It is a short-lived perennial that becomes profuse following fire (Clarke). Some Native Americans are reported to have used the root of this plant to put their gambling opponents to sleep (Dale). Seedpods are not downy. Ranunculaceae Back to Ranunculaceae of Orange County, California |
/Blue%20Jay%20Campground,%20Cleveland%20National%20Forest,%20Riverside%20Co.,%20CA.6-11-11%20061.jpg) An 8-16 in. erect, smooth slender stemmed branching herb, rising from a thicker tuberous root. Blue Jay Campground, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 6-11-11. © Joan Avise. |
/Blue%20Jay%20Campground,%20Cleveland%20National%20Forest,%20Riverside%20Co.,%20CA.6-11-11%20059.jpg) Leaves, mostly basal, are 3-parted with the center part 3-cleft, and lateral parts 2-cleft. The basal leaves are divided into 5 twisted linear divisions and die back when flowers appear. The upper leaves are deeply 5-7 lobed, divided in linear segments. Veins are slightly hairy. Blue Jay Campground, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 6-11-11. © Joan Avise. |
/San%20Mateo%20Canyon%20Wilderness,%20Riverside%20Co.,%20CA.%20%207-4-11%20047.jpg) San Mateo Canyon Wilderness, Riverside Co., CA. 7-4-11. © Joan Avise. |
/San%20Mateo%20Canyon%20Wilderness,%20Riverside%20Co.,%20CA.%207-4-11%20045.jpg) San Mateo Canyon Wilderness, Riverside Co., CA. 7-4-11. © Joan Avise. |
/Blue%20Jay%20Campground,%20Cleveland%20National%20Forest,%20Riverside%20Co.,%20CA.6-11-11%20100.jpg) There are 5 scarlet sepals, the upper one elongated into a spur. Floral spurs of Delphinium (and Aquilegia) contain a nectary at the apex to attract insect or hummingbird pollinators (Clarke). Blue Jay Campground, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 6-11-11. © Joan Avise. |
/Blue%20Jay%20Campground,%20Cleveland%20National%20Forest,%20Riverside%20Co.,%20CA.6-11-11%20096.jpg) There are 4 petals, 2 lower, scarlet and 2 >upper, scarlet with yellow blotches. Blue Jay Campground, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 6-11-11. © Joan Avise. |
/Blue%20Jay%20Campground,%20Cleveland%20National%20Forest,%20Riverside%20Co.,%20CA.6-11-11%20093.jpg) Blue Jay Campground, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 6-11-11. © Joan Avise. |
/Blue%20Jay%20Campground,%20Cleveland%20National%20Forest,%20Riverside%20Co.,%20CA.%206-11-11%20055.jpg) Blue Jay Campground, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 6-11-11. © Joan Avise. |