Additional notes (click to expand)

Medicinal

All parts - especially seeds - have sedating and dream-inducing properties
Wink, Michael & Ben-Erik van Wyk (2008). Mind-Altering and Poisonous Plants of the World. Timber Press

Nomenclature

Previously grown as Consolida ajacis
Plants of the World online, Kew Science http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77254-2 link

Phytochemistry

Active Principle. All parts especially seeds: delcosine, lycoctonine and other terpene alkaloids.
Wink, M. (2009). Mode of Action and toxicology of plant toxins and poisonous plants. Mitt. Julius Kuhn-Inst. 421:93-111.

Toxicity

Class 1a: Extremely hazardous: alkaloids affect Na+ channels and neuroreceptors, with sedating and dream inducing properties, substantial ingestion causes nausea, gastroenteritis, arrhythmia, excitations, spasms, respiratory arrest.
Wink, M. (2009). Mode of Action and toxicology of plant toxins and poisonous plants. Mitt. Julius Kuhn-Inst. 421:93-111.

Geographical distribution

  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Cyprus
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Turkey
  • Europe, Eastern Europe, Ukraine
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Albania
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Greece
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Italy
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Romania
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Yugoslavia
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, France

Delphinium ajacis L.

Family: RANUNCULACEAE
Genus: Delphinium
Species: ajacis L.
Common names: Giant Larkspur; Rocket Larkspur
Distribution summary: Mediterranean
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: H5 - Hardy; cold winter
Habitat: Disturbed ground, roadsides, dry, sandy soil
Garden status: Not currently grown
Flowering months: July, August
Reason for growing: Medicinal, toxic


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