General poisoning notes:

Low larkspur (Delphinium bicolor) is a native herb found in southern parts of western Canada. This plant has poisoned cattle, symptoms are similar to those caused by tall larkspur ( Delphinium glaucum.)

References:

Olsen, J. D., Manners, G. D. 1989. Toxicology of diterpenoid alkaloids in rangeland larkspur (Delphinium spp.). Pages 291-326 in Cheeke, P. R., ed. Toxicants of plant origin. Vol. I. Alkaloids. CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., USA. 335 pp.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Delphinium bicolor Nutt.
 

Vernacular name(s): low larkspur

Scientific family name: Ranunculaceae

Vernacular family name: crowfoot

Go to ITIS*^ca for more taxonomic information on: Delphinium bicolor

References:

Agriculture Quebec. 1975. Noms des maladies des plantes du Canada/ Names of plant diseases in Canada. , Quebec City, Que., Canada. 288 pp.

Alex, J. F., Cayouette, R., Mulligan, G. A. 1980. Common and botanical names of weeds in Canada/Noms populaire et scientifiques des plantes nuisibles du Canada. Revised. Agric. Can. Publ., Ottawa, Ont., Canada. 132 pp.

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Scoggan, H. J. 1978, 1979. The flora of Canada. Nat. Mus. Nat. Sci. (Ottawa) Publ. Bot. 7(1)-7(4). 1711 pp.

Van Wijk, H. L. 1911. A dictionary of plant names. Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, The Netherlands. 1444 pp.

Victorin, M. 1964. Flore Laurentienne. 2nd ed. Univ. Montreal, Montreal, Que., Canada. 952 pp.

Geographic Information

Alberta
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
 

References:

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Boivin, B. 1966, 1967. Énumération des plantes du Canada. Provencheria 6. Nat. Can. (Que.) 93: 253-274; 371-437; 583-646; 989-1063. 94: 131-157; 471-528; 625-655.

Image or illustration

low larkspur:

Images: images.google.com

Notes on Poisonous plant parts:

See additional information under general notes of Delphinium glaucum.

Toxic parts:

leaves
seeds
 

References:

Olsen, J. D., Manners, G. D. 1989. Toxicology of diterpenoid alkaloids in rangeland larkspur (Delphinium spp.). Pages 291-326 in Cheeke, P. R., ed. Toxicants of plant origin. Vol. I. Alkaloids. CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., USA. 335 pp.

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

See additional information under general notes of Delphinium glaucum.

Toxic plant chemicals:

methyllycaconitine

Chemical diagram(s) are courtesy of Ruth McDiarmid, Biochemistry Technician, Kamloops Range Station, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kamploops, British Columbia, Canada.

References:

Olsen, J. D., Manners, G. D. 1989. Toxicology of diterpenoid alkaloids in rangeland larkspur (Delphinium spp.). Pages 291-326 in Cheeke, P. R., ed. Toxicants of plant origin. Vol. I. Alkaloids. CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., USA. 335 pp.

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Cattle

General symptoms of poisoning:

bloat
constipation
death by asphyxiation
paralysis
salivation
weakness
 

References:

Olsen, J. D., Manners, G. D. 1989. Toxicology of diterpenoid alkaloids in rangeland larkspur (Delphinium spp.). Pages 291-326 in Cheeke, P. R., ed. Toxicants of plant origin. Vol. I. Alkaloids. CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., USA. 335 pp.

Horses

Sheep