Delphinium Flowers
Name : Delphinium Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Delphinium, (Delphinium elatum)
Delphinium Description
Delphinium is a genus comprising of about 300 species of perennial flowering plants in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). Delphiniums are native throughout the Northern Hemisphere and also on the high mountains of tropical Africa.
Delphinium flowers are commonly known as Larkspur, although they share this common name with another closely related genus Consolida. Other common names include Lark's Heel (from Shakespeare), Lark's Claw, Elijah's Chariot and Knight's Spur. The botanical name “Delphinium” comes from the Latin for “dolphin”, alluding to the shape of the opening flower. The common name “Elijah's Chariot” usually refers to the white delphinium.
Delphinium flowers are almost as complex as the Orchids consisting of both petals and sepals. Delphinium flowers consist of 5 petals that form a gentle star-shaped bloom. Their colourful blossoms cover a spectrum from white to blue to violet to red and yellow.
Delphinium flowers are irregularly shaped and bloom in a loose, vertical grouping along the upper end of the plant's main stalk. The main flowering stalk of the Delphinium is erect, and varies in size from 10 cm in some alpine species, up to 2 meters tall in the larger meadowland species. It is topped with a raceme of numerous flowers (around 14-20).
Delphiniums propagate best from seeds planted in spring or fall. Delphiniums blossom from late spring to late summer, and are pollinated by butterflies and bees. Delphiniums require well watered soil; make sure that the soil should never dry out. Taller varieties of Delphiniums require staking to prevent hollow flower stalks from snapping in the wind. Most Delphinium species are toxic and should not be used as food.
The Forking Larkspur (Delphinium consolida) grows wild in cornfields, but has become very rare.Whereas Baker's larkspur (Delphinium bakeri) and Yellow larkspur (D. luteum), both native to California, are highly endangered species.
This lush flower is popular as a cut flower and is sure to accentuate any wedding bouquet, table centerpiece or flower arrangement. Expected vase life for Delphinium is an average minimum of 8 days.
Delphinium Meaning
Delphinium is the brith flower for the month of July and it symbolizes An Open Heart and Ardent Attachment. The enchanting Delphinium also conveys A Feeling of Lightness, Fun and Levity.
Delphinium Mythology
Delphinium, or Larkspur has been mentioned quite a few time in Greek mythology. It is believed that this flower was named after Delphinium Apollo, the god of the city of Delphi.
According to another legend, Delphinium originated during the Battle of Troy. Achilles' mother requested that her son's armor be given to the most gallant Greek Warrior and so the armor was given to Ulysses. However Ajax expected to be chosen, and because of his dejection, he killed himself. It is said that a small blue larkspur began to grow where Ajax’s blood spilled.
West Coast Native Americans used Delphiniums to make blue dye and European settlers made ink from ground delphinium flowers. During the Dark Ages, its seed was believed to make people invisible. In medieval England, the Delphinium root was used as an important ingredient in love potions. However the most ancient use of this plant was as a strong external medicine thought to drive away scorpions. This medicine was prepared by using the seeds and leaves which were thought to possess great power. Delphinium was also used to kill lice from the hair of the warriors during the American Civil War, and at the Battle of Waterloo wounds were dressed with it.
According to yet another myth, Delphinium was born from the blood of Hyakinthos. He was a handsome, young Spartan prince loved by the gods Zephyros and Apollon. But Zephyros grew jealous of Hyakinthos and one day when Apollon was playing quoits with the boy he caught up the disc with his windy breath and struck him in the head. As the young prince lay dying, Apollon caused the larkspur to spring forth from his blood, inscribing it with the Greek words "ai ai", meaning, “alas, alas”.
