Duncecap larkspur is a tall perennial herb of the buttercup family 

 (Ranunculaceae). The specific name occidentale is Latin for west- 

 ern, referring to the range of this plant. It is found in the higher 

 mountains (5,000 to 11,500 feet) in all of the 11 far-western States 

 except California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Duncecap larkspur 

 grows in a variety of soils but prefers the richer loam soils in moist 

 situations. This herb flourishes on both open and shaded sites and 

 is common in aspen patches. 



Recent experiments have demonstrated that this species is poison- 

 ous and is responsible for most of the deaths of cattle by larkspur 

 in Montana. 1 While experiments have not definitely shown that this 

 is true of larkspurs generally, and further study is necessary, the 

 wisest range management must assume meanwhile that all species of 

 larkspur, when abundant, are dangerous on cattle range. In the 

 treatment of animals poisoned by larkspur the formula as given in 

 the larkspur genus write-up (W58) should be used. 



On the whole, duncecap larkspur resembles other tall larkspurs. 

 It is commonly 3 to 6 feet high, with leaves divided somewhat as a 

 maple or currant leaf. It may be distinguished from Barbey lark- 

 spur by the white, mildewy appearance of the upper part of the 

 stalk, due to the presence of close-lying hairs upon the part, as con- 

 trasted with the tawny, stick hairs which stand straight out on the 

 stems of Barbey larkspur. The seed pods are usually densely hairy, 

 whereas those of barbeyi are hairless. The spur is pointed and re- 

 sembles a duncecap, which explains the common name. The flowers 

 are grayish blue when in full bloom. 



1 Marsh, C. D. STOCK-POISONING PLANTS OF THE KANGE. U. S. Dept. Agr. Bull. 1245, 

 rev., 75 pp., illus. 1929. Supersedes Bull. 575. 



