|
Nuttall's Larkspur. We got to see a few instances of these on our hike today.
By the time the flowers are fully opened, the basal leaves are usually withered. The lower arrows point to the dried, buff-colored leaves at the bottom of the stem. Each follicle will split ("dehisce") along one side and spill the numerous seeds.
At lower elevations of ~6,000 feet, moisture is less than optimal for this species. At these lower, drier elevations it is common for basal leaves to grow in the early spring nourished by sparse winter snow, but then to wither because of the high desert lack of good spring moisture.
The common name, "Larkspur", comes from the similarity of the spur on the rear of the flower to a Lark's foot structure.
By the time the flowers are fully opened, the basal leaves are usually withered. The lower arrows point to the dried, buff-colored leaves at the bottom of the stem. Each follicle will split ("dehisce") along one side and spill the numerous seeds.
At lower elevations of ~6,000 feet, moisture is less than optimal for this species. At these lower, drier elevations it is common for basal leaves to grow in the early spring nourished by sparse winter snow, but then to wither because of the high desert lack of good spring moisture.
The common name, "Larkspur", comes from the similarity of the spur on the rear of the flower to a Lark's foot structure.