Medicinal Monday -- Lovely Little Larkspur

Larkspur has a storied history with many symbolic meanings. It is called Larkspur because the flowers have a distinctive spur at the back. It is in the Delphinium genus of about 300 species of annual and perennial flowering plants in the Ramunculaceae or Buttercup family. They are native to eastern North America and are also found in parts of Africa. In the language of flowers, larkspur represents dedication and sincerity.

About Little Larkspur

The scientific word for the common name larkspur is delphinium, which originates from the Greek word for dolphin because the flower buds resemble a dolphin and, Little Larkspur or Delphinium bicolor Nutt is part of this family. This species of larkspur is native to North America from British Columbia to South Dakota. It can be found in mountain forests, meadows, scrub hillsides, and prairies. The root system branches out and produces a single stem about 16 inches high that is green with a reddish base. The petiolate leaves have rounded lobes and grow low on the stem that holds a large spike of a loose cluster of flowers, made of up to 15 blossoms. The flowers have deep blue lower petals. The upper petals are light blue petals with white markings.  This plant is highly poisonous to cattle and bison.

Medicinal  and Other Uses

The basic use of this plant by many Native American communities was as an antidiarrheal. In regard to other documented uses, the Blackfoot made an infusion of this plant that was used by women to shine and straighten their hair, an infusion was also given to children with fainting spells and for teething. The Blackfoot used the flowers as a blue dye for their quills, and bows and arrows. The Gosiute considered the entire plant as poisonous.

Did You Know...

Another name for this plant is flathead larkspur.

Little Larkspur can absorb toxic substances like herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants.

The color of the individual larkspur flower traditionally holds varying inherent symbolism with blue larkspur flowers associated with grace and respectability; pink with fickleness, love, and affection; purple with first love; and white symbolizing happiness and joy. 

Little Larkspur has long been thought to hold the ability to ward off evil, earning it a place in cottage gardens during the Victorian era.