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Consolida ambigua - (L.)P.W.Ball.&Heyw.

Common Name Larkspur, Doubtful knight's-spur, Rocket Larkspur
Family Ranunculaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The whole plant is poisonous[207].
Habitats Corn fields[244].
Range Europe - Mediterranean.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Consolida ambigua Larkspur, Doubtful knight


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 2: 94.
Consolida ambigua Larkspur, Doubtful knight
http://flickr.com/photos/carllewis/ Consolida regalis

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Consolida ambigua is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. ajacis.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil
Edible Uses: Oil

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Parasiticide  Parasiticide  Vulnerary

Larkspur formerly had a reputation for its ability to consolidate and heal wounds[244], whilst the juice from the leaves is considered to be a remedy for piles and an infusion of the flowers and leaves has been used as a remedy for colicky children[244]. However, the whole plant is very poisonous and it should not be used internally without the guidance of an expert. Externally, it can be used as a parasiticide[207]. A tincture of the seed is applied externally to kill lice in the hair[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Insecticide  Oil  Parasiticide  Parasiticide

The seed is insecticidal[240]. A tincture made from the seed is said to be effective against hair nits[244]. There is uncertainty as to whether the insecticidal effect is due to the oil or alkaloids in the seed[240]. The seed contains 39% of a fixed oil, though the report does not say if this is ever exploited[240].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Massing, Woodland garden. An easily grown plant, it prefers a sunny position in a well-drained soil. This species is called Consolida ajacis by some botanists[274]. Larkspur is a greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54]. Plants resent root disturbance and should not be transplanted[200]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow in succession from spring to early summer in situ. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks[200]. Seedlings transplant badly[200]. An autumn sowing can succeed in areas with mild winters[200]. The seed has a short viability and should not be stored for more than one season[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Turkey EUROPE: Ukraine (Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, France (incl. Corsica)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Consolida regalisLarkspur, Royal knight's-spurAnnual/Biennial0.5 0-0  LMHSNDM032

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)P.W.Ball.&Heyw.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Lawler Barnes   Sat Oct 28 2006

Nature Abhors a Garden Larkspur is the subject of the 11/05/06 posint

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Subject : Consolida ambigua  
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