Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial
General Desc:
A tall, leafy, tuberous plant with usually erect, stout stems but sometimes are weak and reclining. Has showy spiked flowers. If ingested, very poisonous to livestock and humans. Identification notes: Perennial herb with tuberous roots and tall leafy stems. Alternate leaves are simple or deeply palmate, smooth or slightly hairy. Very irregular perfect flowers are borne in loose terminal racemes; pale to dark blue in color. Height:
3 to 7 feet Habitat
Habitat Description: Appears along mountain streams, in meadows and in rich forests. Adapted to fine, medium and coarse textured soils. Prefers moist soil conditions in shady areas. Plant Communities:
Montane Conifer Forest, Riparian Elevation: 5000 - 9500 feet Flower Characteristics
Color:
Dark blue to bluish-purple
Shape:
Irregular in elongated clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Jun - Sep Description:
Occasionally white. Appears in a raceme cluster with each flower 1-1/4 inches in length. Has 5 sepals that resemble petals having an upper sepal forming a hood, 2 oval side sepals and 2 narrow bottom sepals. The petals are hidden under the hood.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaf Color:
Dark green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Palmate
Leaf Margin:
Toothed
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N Hairs:
Stems
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
To 8 inches wide. Palmate shape is divided into 3 to 5 divisions. Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit Color: Black Fruit Type: Pod Fruit Notes: Fruit appears as follicles about 3/4 inch long. Seed Notes: Seeds are black and less than 1/16 inch long.
Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590