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What exactly are the growth advantages of larkspur?

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Larkspur is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Delphinium in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It gets its name because its distinctive flower shape closely resembles swallows. The flower form is distinctive and elegant. It originated in southern Europe, and is now cultivated in every province of China.

Larkspur alternative names

Large-flowered larkspur, dove flower, baibu grass, jizhualian, dried bird grass, luo small flower, thousand-bird flower

Morphological characteristics of larkspur

Stem: The stem reaches about 60 cm in height, and both the stem and the inflorescence are covered with more or less curved short pubescence, branching above the middle. The lower stem leaves have long petioles and mostly wither at flowering time, while the leaves above the middle have short petioles.

Leaves: The leaf blade reaches up to 3 cm in length, palmately finely divided, with narrow linear small lobes 0.4-1 mm wide, bearing short pubescence.

Flowers: The inflorescence is borne at the top of the stem or branches; the lower bracts are leaf-like, while the upper bracts are small, undivided and linear. The pedicel is 0.7-2.8 cm long; the bracteoles are borne near the middle of the pedicel and are small and linear; the sepals are purple, pink or white, broadly ovate, about 1.2 cm long, sparsely covered with short pubescence at the center outside, with a spur about 1.6 cm long and awl-shaped; the petal blade is three-lobed, the middle lobe about 5 mm long with a two-cleft tip, and the lateral lobes spreading at right angles to the middle lobe, ovate; the anther is about 1 mm long.

Growth habits of larkspur

Larkspur has strong adaptability to climate, and a moist, cool climate environment is more suitable. The optimum temperature for seed germination is 15°C, and the optimum growing temperature is 20-25°C during the day and 3-15°C at night.

It likes light and can tolerate slight shade; during the growing period it can be placed in partial shade, but during the flowering period it needs full sunlight. It prefers fertile, moist, well-drained acidic soil, and can also tolerate drought and slightly tolerate water temperature; a pH value of 5.5-6.0 is best.

Main values of larkspur

Ornamental: Larkspur has a distinctive flower shape and elegant colors. It can be planted in clumps, in flower beds and flower borders, and can also be used as a cut flower.

Medicinal: The whole plant and seeds can be used as medicine to treat toothache. The juice soaked from stems and leaves can kill insects.

Flower language of larkspur

Tranquility, lightness, justice, freedom

Because larkspur flowers come in many colors, people have also attached different meanings to larkspurs of different colors.

Blue larkspur represents depression; purple larkspur represents admiration and gentleness; pink represents poetry; white represents elegance.

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