Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, openings. Spring.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, May 13, 2004.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, March 6, 2007.

This Delphinium is found in the semi-desert and low foothills.  It grows to several feet tall, has few, lobed leaves at the base, and delicate pale-blue to inky-blue flowers. The basal leaves are noticeable for weeks before the flower stalk begins growing and the leaves were a mystery to me until finally the flower buds appeared.  Once the flower opens one knows for sure that it is a Delphinium.

Linnaeus named this genus in 1753.  "Delphinium" is from the Latin "delphinus", "Dolphin", for the resemblance of the flower buds to Dolphins.  (Click to see the Dolphins.)  Edwin Greene named this species in 1912.

Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, openings. Spring.
The Shiprock, New Mexico, May 7, 2007.