Forking Larkspur

Appearance

''Consolida regalis'' reaches on average 30–80 centimetres 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 , so the plant can survive long periods of drought. The leaves are alternately arranged. The inflorescence is a cluster with five to eight hermaphrodite flowers. They are dark blue or purple, with five sepals. The upper sepal is prolonged in a spur of 15–18 millimetres long, pointing toward the back. There are eight to ten stamens. 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.

Distribution

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

Habitat

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