Terrestrial dolphins

Delphinium barbeyi, July 8, 2021

Delphinium barbeyi, July 8, 2021

Common & scientific name
Subalpine larkspur, Delphinium barbeyi

Family
Buttercup, Ranunculaceae

Location
Mountain Boy, 11,600

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
A giant of the subalpine, look for it growing over six feet tall near monkshood, bluebells, cow parsnip, and triangle-leaved senecio.  “Delphinium” is from the Latin “delphinus” meaning dolphin.  With a little imagination its spike of purple flowers looks like a pod of swimming dolphins. 

D. barbeyi in fruit, Green Mountain, 11,200’, August 10, 2021

D. barbeyi in fruit, Green Mountain, 11,200’, August 10, 2021