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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Delphinium staphisagria is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from May to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

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.
Antispasmodic Cathartic Emetic Homeopathy Odontalgic Parasiticide Sialagogue Vermifuge
Warts

Stavesacre is a very poisonous plant that is rarely used in modern herbal medicine[238]. The seed is antispasmodic, cathartic, emetic and vermifuge[4, 44]. The seeds cause a strong salivation if they are chewed and have been used in the treatment of toothache and other painful conditions of the throat and gums[232]. They are so strongly emetic and cathartic, however, that they are rarely used internally[4]. Externally, a decoction is used to treat itchy skin and parasites4]. The seed is very poisonous and should be used with great caution[4]. The plant has been used externally in the treatment of warts, lice and itches[232]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the seeds[232]. This is used in the treatment of a variety of ailments including toothache, injuries and headache[232].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Insecticide Parasiticide

A parasiticide is obtained from the leaves[172]. It is quite toxic and so is for external use only. The seed is used to make a potent insecticide, parasiticide and to destroy vermin[4, 61, 89, 100, 238]. It is used to kill head lice[238].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils and situations[4] but prefers a rich well-drained neutral to alkaline soil[4, 200, 238] and is intolerant of winter-wet soils[200]. Requires an open sunny position[188]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow March in a cold frame or April outdoors. Keep moist and in a shady position until germination takes place[175]. Seed can also be sown either in a cold frame or in situ as soon as it is ripe in mid to late summer[175], though seedlings from the outdoor sowing can be killed in cold winters[K]. The seed has a limited viability so it should be stored in a sealed container at about 3°c[200]. Temperatures above 15°c inhibit germination[175]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 9 weeks at 15°c[175].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Lebanon, Syria, Turkey EUROPE: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Montenegro, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Medicinal	Other
Delphinium brachycentrum	Northern larkspur	Perennial	1.0	4-8		LMH	N	M	0	1
Delphinium brunonianum		Perennial	0.5	4-8		LMH	N	M	0	2
Delphinium caeruleum		Perennial	0.3	6-9		LMH	N	M	1	1
Delphinium cashmerianum		Perennial	0.5	4-8		LMH	N	M	1	2
Delphinium denudatum		Perennial	1.0	6-9		LMH	N	DM	1	1
Delphinium elatum	Candle larkspur, English Larkspur	Perennial	1.0	4-7	M	LMH	N	M	1	1
Delphinium glaucum	Giant Larkspur, Sierra larkspur	Perennial	1.8	0-0		LMH	N	M	0	1
Delphinium menziesii	Menzies' Larkspur	Perennial	0.5	3-7		LMH	N	M	1	1
Delphinium nudicaule	Red Larkspur, Larkspur	Perennial	0.3	3-7	M	LMH	N	M	1	3
Delphinium nuttallianum	Larkspur, Twolobe larkspur	Perennial	0.3	4-8		LMH	N	M	0	2
Delphinium semibarbatum	Zalil	Perennial	0.5	5-9		LMH	N	M	1

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.

Delphinium staphisagria - L.