Delphinium subsect. Multiplex

M. J. Warnock

Phytologia 78: 81. 1995.

Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.

Roots 2-6-branched, (5-) 10-40 (-50) cm, twisted fibrous, dry to fleshy, thin threadlike segments apparent nearly entire length; buds more than 3 mm, sometimes present during dormant season. Stems 1-4 (-8) per root, usually unbranched, rarely less than 60 cm, elongation delayed 1-3 weeks after leaf initiation; base usually not narrowed, firmly attached to root; proximal internodes much shorter than those of midstem. Leaves basal and cauline, largest near base of stem, others usually abruptly smaller on distal portion of stem; basal petioles ± spreading, cauline petioles ascending; basal leaves more rounded and with fewer, wider lobes than cauline leaves. Inflorescences usually 3-12 flowers per 5 cm, dense to open, cylindric, spurs sometimes intersecting rachis; pedicel ascending, usually less than 2 cm; if stems less than 60 cm, then pedicel remotely ascending (sigmoid); bracts usually markedly smaller and fewer lobed than leaves. Fruits erect. Seeds rectangular to crescent-shaped, 1.8-3 × 1.3-2.5 mm, not ringed at proximal end, wing-margined or not; seed-coats with small irregular wavy ridges or ripples, cells elongate (more than 3 times longer than wide), cell margins straight.

Distribution

w United States

Discussion

Species 4 (4 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Key

1 Sepals yellowish green. Delphinium viridescens
1 Sepals bluish or purplish (sometimes white, or lavender), not yellow or yellowish. > 2
2 Leaves usually absent from proximal 1/5 of stem at anthesis. Delphinium multiplex
2 Leaves present on proximal 1/5 of stem at anthesis. > 3
3 Bracteoles less than 4mm; spurs 9–12 mm; pedicel 0.3–1.5(–2.5) cm; sepals white to light blue. Delphinium inopinum
3 Bracteoles more than 4mm; spurs 11–22 mm; pedicel 1–4(–15) cm; sepals bluish purple. Delphinium polycladon

"/" is not declared as a valid unit of measurement for this property."entire" is not a number."thin" is not a number.

Michael J. Warnock +
M. J. Warnock +
usually larger +
narrowed +
expanded +
straight +
0.2 cm2 mm <br />0.002 m <br /> (0.4 cm4 mm <br />0.004 m <br />) +
smaller +
subopposite-subalternate +
0 cm0 mm <br />0 m <br /> (?) +  and 0.3 cm3 mm <br />0.003 m <br /> (?) +
globose;cylindric +
elongate +
w United States +
showy +  and inconspicuous +
cylindric +
sessile +  and aggregate +
curved-cylindric +
axillary +  and terminal +
less ovate +  and elliptic +
0.8 cm8 mm <br />0.008 m <br /> (1.8 cm18 mm <br />0.018 m <br />) +
round +  and pentagonal or reniform +
whorled +, opposite +  and alternate +
cauline +  and basal +
largest +
lacerate;crenate +
clawed +, 2-lobed +, ovate +  and plane +
0.2 cm2 mm <br />0.002 m <br /> (1.2 cm12 mm <br />0.012 m <br />) +
palmate +  and pinnate +
incised;toothed;incised;toothed;entire +
smaller +
0 cm0 mm <br />0 m <br /> (2 cm20 mm <br />0.02 m <br />) +
distinct +
conspicuous +
spurred +, funnel--shaped +, cup-shaped +  and plane +
reduced +
2-100-flowered +
5 cm50 mm <br />0.05 m <br /> (40 cm400 mm <br />0.4 m <br />) +
2-6-branched +
40 cm400 mm <br />0.4 m <br /> (50 cm500 mm <br />0.5 m <br />) +
tuberlike +
10 cm100 mm <br />0.1 m <br /> (40 cm400 mm <br />0.4 m <br />) +
dry +  and fleshy +
not +  and wing-margined +
dark-brown +  and black +
0.18 cm1.8 mm <br />0.0018 m <br /> (0.3 cm3 mm <br />0.003 m <br />) +
not ringed +
rectangular +  and crescent-shaped +
0.13 cm1.3 mm <br />0.0013 m <br /> (0.25 cm2.5 mm <br />0.0025 m <br />) +
thread-like +
yellow;red;yellow;red;white;purple;blue +
not persistent +
distinct +
3 +  and 6 +
not +  and veined +
1 +  and 4 +
0 cm0 mm <br />0 m <br /> (60 cm600 mm <br />0.6 m <br />) +
persistent +
Delphinium subsect. Multiplex +
Delphinium sect. Diedropetala +
subsection +
0.8 cm8 mm <br />0.008 m <br /> (2.4 cm24 mm <br />0.024 m <br />) +
herbaceous +  and woody +