38 MISC. PUBLICATION 9 0, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE" 



■which the plants may be recognized. In color the blossoms vary 

 from deep violet to almost white. The palmately veined leaves are 

 deeply cleft in all species. Although there are many species of 

 larkspur, they may be separated into two distinct groups, tall lark- 

 spur and low larkspur. Tall larkspur usually grows at high eleva- 

 tions and reaches a height of from 3 to 6 feet when mature. (Fig. 

 IT.) Low larkspur generally grows in the foothill region. Both 

 kinds, but especially tall larkspur, grow best in fairly moist places. 



Figure 17. — Tall larkspur {Delphinium barbeyi) kil 



plant 



more cattle than any other 



Cattle are more susceptible than other stock to larkspur poisoning. 

 Most of the poisoning losses among cattle are caused by this plant. 

 Horses are seldom affected by it, and sheep will thrive on it. This 

 makes it advantageous to graze sheep on ranges where larkspur 

 occurs. While the plant is more or less poisonous to cattle at all 

 times, it is particularly dangerous after a rain or frost. After 



