Are delphinium roots poisonous to other plants? Delphinium (spur)

Everyone loves beautiful plants. In order to grow a rare plant in your greenhouse, you must follow the subtleties of maintenance. Any blooming creature requires painstaking provision of conditions. The growing conditions for most types of flowers are different. In this collection, we intended to present a collection of articles in order to avoid disappointment when breeding a particular plant. To determine further actions, it is necessary to understand what species the purchased plant is classified as.

Delphinium perennial, or Larkspur, Spur - description and photo

DELPHINIUM (lat. Delphínium) is a genus of annual and perennial herbaceous plants of the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), up to 2 m high, close to the genus of the famous poisonous plants Aconite, or Fighter (Aconitum). Other names: Larkspur, Spur. Delphinium flowers were first cultivated in the 18th century.

Garden hybrids:

Annual species:

General characteristics of delphinium

Delphinium is a frost-resistant, drought-resistant powerful plant, up to 200 cm tall, can consist of 10-15 stems. The height of the stem may vary depending on the species: in some alpine species - from 10 cm; among forest species it occurs up to 3 meters or more. The leaves of delphinium are quite large, delicate, dissected to varying degrees in different varieties. The flowers are produced by delphinium, semi-double, large, bright, with five blue sepals and a white eye. Inflorescences up to 7 cm in diameter are collected in giant (up to 70-80 cm) racemes of various colors: white, blue, purple, pink...

The rhizome of most delphiniums is racemose, with numerous adventitious roots extending from it in a bunch. Over the years, the middle part of the rhizome gradually dies off, the side shoots separate, turning into independent plants. On different soils, the shape of the rhizome is different; the drier the soil, the more compact it is and with a pronounced main root. At the base of old stems, renewal buds form on the rhizome. As soon as the snow melts in the spring, shoots begin to grow.

Delphinium blooms in central Russia around June 20, flowering lasts until the end of July. Dates may vary slightly depending on weather conditions. After another month, the seeds ripen and the shoots die. If they are cut, growth resumes in mid-August, and the plants can bloom again in September. With cold weather, the outflow of substances into the rhizome begins and the plant prepares for winter. Sometimes snow falls on a plant that is still green, but this, as a rule, does not affect the success of wintering. Delphinium is an extremely winter-hardy plant; it can withstand frosts down to -50 degrees under snow. A great danger is posed by thaws, which can cause the rhizomes to dry out.

When growing delphinium on the site, all parts of the plant contain alkaloids, especially the roots and fruits, which determine the poisonous properties of the plant. The plant causes depression of the central nervous system with a simultaneous effect on the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. There are known cases of poisoning of cattle and sheep by the plant. It is believed that the most poisonous are the tall delphinium (Delphinium elatum) and cultivated garden species. Some of the species can cause nectar toxicosis in bees. The alkaloids contained in pollen, when entering the body of a bee, can cause intoxication, similar to intoxication. Poisoning may be reversible or fatal. Honey collected from larkspur, which poisons bees, is poisonous to humans. This kind of honey is called “drunk”.

Growing, planting and caring for delphinium

Delphiniums are unpretentious in care, quite resistant to pests and diseases, they can be grown almost anywhere: in a clearing in a forest park, in a flowerbed in a park, on a lawn in a yard or in a garden. The plant is moderately moisture-loving; Grows well in a sunny place, protected from the wind. It can grow in the shade, some of its varieties fade in the sun. It develops and blooms best on fertile soils, richly fertilized with compost or well-rotted manure, well-cultivated and sun-warmed areas. Soils are preferably deep, well-drained, clayey, loamy, moderately moist, but not soggy.

When caring for spurs, you should remember not to disturb its root system. You should also pay attention to whether the delphinium has developed powdery mildew or slugs. In dry weather the plant requires good watering. In July, when the main flowering period ends, you can cut off the flower stalks - then the delphinium will delight you with its flowering in the fall. At the end of autumn, the stems should be cut almost to the root.

Usually delphinium overwinters well; all preparation for winter consists in weeding the ground around the bushes, loosening it well and watering it. When the time comes to cover it with spruce branches for the winter, cut the bushes (usually young ones) not very low, at a height of 15-20 cm, so that water does not get through the hollow stems to the roots and they do not rot.

Perennial delphinium propagates by planting cuttings in April-May, as well as by dividing bushes in spring or autumn. Once every 3 years it is necessary to dig up the bushes and divide them, while the shoots are sorted and only the healthiest ones are replanted. Annual delphinium reproduces by seeds: sown in the ground in September or May with a distance of 30-40 cm between seedlings. The flowering period lasts from June to September.

garden plants

Delphinium has been grown in gardens since ancient times. Tall peduncles of delphinium invariably attract attention and cause admiration. Flowering lasts a long time, and plant care is minimal.

Delphiniums belong to the Ranunculaceae family, the genus includes up to 370 species. Among them there are annual and perennial plants. In Russia it is called "spur plant" because of the shape of the flowers (they have spurs). In the Middle Ages, delphinium tincture was used to heal wounds, which is why the plant is sometimes called larkspur.

China is considered to be the birthplace of delphinium, although this plant is widespread in the mountainous regions of Europe, South Asia, India, Africa, and many species of delphinium are common in North America. Their main habitats are alpine and subalpine meadows.

Delphiniums grow 50-200 cm tall depending on the species. Their leaves are palmately divided, arranged in an alternate order. Large bushes with beautiful leaves and in the absence of flowers are very decorative. If the soil is rich in nitrogen, there will be a lot of leaves; in poor soil the plant will bloom faster. Plants with green leaves usually have white, pale blue or light purple flowers; darker leaves with a brownish tint are characteristic of dark blue varieties.

A simple, non-double delphinium flower has five colored sepals, the top of which has a spur. The inflorescence of the spike bears, as a rule, several dozen flowers, simple or double.

There are many known decorative varieties of delphinium. They differ in the color and shape of the flowers, the height of the peduncles, and the flowering period. In garden floriculture, hybrid delphiniums with tall, dense inflorescences bearing many large flowers are now mainly used. As a result of breeding work in recent years, low-growing varieties with few-flowered panicles have appeared, suitable for growing in rocky gardens.

Delphinium Tiddles

Delphinium Bruce

Delphinium Sweethearts

Perennial delphiniums have become more widespread due to their unpretentiousness and ability to winter even in harsh climates. They grow in one place for many years. Annual delphiniums require more care with sowing, but otherwise they are also not capricious plants.

Annual species bloom from July to September, and perennials most often bloom in two waves: in early summer and autumn, if the flower stalks are cut off in time.

All parts of the delphinium are poisonous, so the stems, leaves and peduncles after flowering have long been used to prepare infusions and decoctions against aphids, caterpillars, moths, moths and many other garden pests.

Using delphinium in landscape design

Delphiniums are good in a wide variety of decorative plantings. They look beautiful in groups, combined from varieties with differently colored flowers.

Delphiniums are very impressive as background plants for mixborders. Delphiniums are successfully combined with roses and phlox. lilies, dahlias. rudbeckia. Large grains such as Hakonechloa macra are good options.

Delphiniums are also suitable for cutting; the inflorescences in a vase last up to 10 days. In this case, semi-double and double varieties of delphinium with blue or white flowers are highly valued.

Growing delphinium in the garden

Garden placement and lighting. The landing site should be sunny and protected from the wind, since cultivated delphiniums are quite fragile and break easily. To protect from the wind, you can plant them under the protection of bushes, at the foot of a slope or near buildings; a suitable place is in the front garden. In an open, ventilated place, it is recommended to install supports to support the peduncles.

Soil and planting. Delphiniums grow in well-cultivated and fertilized soil (slightly acidic or neutral). Their roots are powerful, the plants deplete the soil quite a lot. A place is chosen without stagnant water and close-lying groundwater.

Delphiniums are large plants that require sufficient nutrients. For planting, prepare holes up to 0.5 m in diameter and the same depth, fill them with loose soil with humus, add ash and granulated mineral fertilizers. The bushes grow large, so the distance between them is 70cm or more.

Watering and fertilizing. The delphinium root system is large, capable of absorbing enough moisture from the soil. Only young plants after dividing the bushes and seedlings need watering. Sometimes in dry summers it is recommended to water adult plants abundantly for more luxuriant flowering.

For good flowering in spring, delphiniums are fertilized with nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer with a predominance of phosphorus and potassium.

Wintering. Garden varieties of delphinium are frost-resistant and can withstand temperatures of minus 20° C, and under a layer of snow they can withstand temperatures down to minus 50°. In harsh winters, only young plants and those transplanted in the fall die. It is useful to cover them with spruce branches or a layer of fallen leaves.

Before the onset of frost, the stems are cut high from the soil surface (about 30m). Low cutting is not recommended; the stems are hollow and may rot if exposed to water. It is better not to cut the ground part at all than to cut it very low.

Dangerous for delphiniums, as well as for carnations. alternation of thaws and frosts.

Reproduction. Delphiniums reproduce by seeds, cuttings, and perennial bush division. Hybrid delphiniums are propagated only by dividing the bush; seed propagation does not ensure repeatability of the mother varieties.

Seeds are sown in March in greenhouses or boxes. After the seedlings appear, the plants are kept in a cool place so that they do not stretch. Young plants bloom in August. If you sow the seeds of perennial delphiniums in the soil in the spring, the first flowering will occur the next year.

The most valuable varieties. This is done in the spring, when the shoots from the root reach 5-8 cm. The strongest shoots are left on the bush, and several cuttings are cut off. It is important to cut them off at the very root collar, so that there is no cavity in the stem at the bottom of the cutting. The cuttings are treated with heteroauxin and planted in greenhouses in loose, moist soil mixed with sand for rooting. The temperature should be at least 20 degrees, regular watering is required. After rooting, the plants are transplanted into flower beds.

The easiest way to propagate delphinium is by dividing the bush. This is usually done in the spring, but can also be done in the fall. In the spring, as soon as shoots appear, the bushes are dug up and cleared of soil. Between the shoots or renewal buds, places are found where the rhizome can be cut. Each part must have a shoot or bud and a sufficient number of healthy roots. Young plants can be planted in flower beds; they quickly take root and develop well.

Delphinium)

There are several secrets when sowing delphinium seeds in March, which affect their germination. Before planting, delphinium seeds should be soaked for a day in epin or zircon. Then, having sowed them in a container, place it in a plastic bag and put it in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. This is the so-called seed stratification.

The best time for sowing seeds is March. Seeds are sown in boxes measuring 30x60 cm, after filling them with an earthen mixture made up of turf soil, peat or humus. Before sowing, the earth mixture is sifted through a sieve, leveled along the edges of the box and watered generously. It is better to sow seeds scattered - 3 g per box.

After sowing, they are lightly pressed into the ground with a plank, carefully watered so as not to wash them away, and covered with a 3 mm layer of earth through a fine sieve. To prevent the surface of the earth from drying out, the boxes are covered on top with newsprint or burlap.

Subsequent watering can be done through this covering, sometimes removing it to check the moisture status. If the seeds are exposed, they are covered with soil, since light retards germination.

At a temperature of 12.15°C, Delphinium shoots appear in 8.10 days. The paper and burlap are removed from the boxes, but they are shaded from the sun. In germinating seeds, a root and subcotyledonous knee first develop, which, arching out of the soil, pulls the cotyledons along with it. After the cotyledons unfold, real leaves appear from the growing point located between the petioles.

About a month after sowing, when the seedlings become crowded, they begin to transplant the seedlings into other boxes with the same composition of the soil mixture that was used for sowing the seeds. 150.200 plants are planted in each box at a distance of 3.4 cm from one another. After planting, the seedlings are watered and the boxes are placed in a film greenhouse, where they remain until the plants are planted in open ground.

In case of poor development, seedlings can be fed with mineral fertilizers (5 g per box). Plants are planted in ridges or flower beds at the end of April or beginning of May, as they are not afraid of spring frosts.

Sometimes they use autumn (October-November) sowing in the ground. On the ridges, grooves up to 0.5 cm deep are made at a distance of 4.5 cm from one another, into which seeds are sown, covering them on top with the same soil or sprinkling them with peat and sand. After sowing, the ridges are covered with spruce branches or burlap, strengthened with slats so that the wind does not tear them down. When seedlings appear, the shelter is removed and the young seedlings remain on the ridges until the spring of next year.

Pre-winter sowing is also used, when seeds are sown on ridges upon the onset of stable frosts. The grooves with seeds are covered with dry soil, which is stored in the barn until sowing. Shoots of such sowing appear in April, and at the end of May they are ready for transplanting. But, as already mentioned, autumn and winter sowings are not justified when breeding varietal delphiniums.

Propagation by cuttings

In May or August, you can cut off the shoots that appear at the root collar of old plants and use them as cuttings. The lower part of the cutting should not have a cavity.

Good results when cuttings are obtained by treating the lower part of the cuttings with heteroauxin (0.01%). Cuttings planted in sand or a mixture of sand and peat to a depth of 2 cm and well moistened are shaded from the sun. At a temperature of 20.25° C, they produce roots in two to three weeks, after which they are planted in a permanent place and subsequently cultivated as seedlings.

Reproduction by buds

After the plants flower (at the end of July or beginning of August), large renewal buds develop at the root collar, which are used as cuttings.

Cut buds are planted in boxes or on beds to a depth of 1.5. 2.0 cm into an earthen mixture made up of sand and peat. After planting, water abundantly and shade from the sun.

Roots form after 4.5 weeks, after which the plants are planted in a permanent place. The buds must be cut without the skin of the old stem. This prevents the transfer of diseases to old tissues. The advantage of this method of propagation is also the ability to send buds to the most remote areas of the country.

Reproduction by division of rhizomes

In the spring, at the beginning of plant growth, bushes at the age of 3.4 years can be dug up and propagated by division. The rhizome is cut along the old stems so that each separated part has at least one shoot or renewal bud and a sufficient number of healthy roots. From one rhizome you can get 4.10 parts.

The separated parts are pre-planted on distribution ridges or flower beds in a permanent place. Rhizomes can be divided after flowering. In this case, the stems of the plants are cut off, with the beginning of new growth, the rhizomes are dug up and divided in the same way as in the spring.

When dividing in late autumn, sections of Delphium rhizome do not take root well and the plants may die from rot. It should be noted that both spring and autumn division of rhizomes does not provide complete planting material. The destruction of old tissues in separated parts continues in the same way as in mother plants, and they die faster than seedlings.

Planting in flower beds

The best time to plant delphiniums is at the end of August and beginning of September. Plants must be well established before frost sets in. The distance between plants when planting depends on the variety and type. Tall hybrid delphiniums are planted at a distance of 50.60 cm from one another. The best planting location is considered to be shaded during the midday hours, which helps maintain the brightness of the color.

In the area allocated for planting, holes are dug up to 50 cm deep and 40 cm wide. The dug soil is mixed with humus and peat, adding mineral fertilizers (50 g per hole) and a handful of ash or lime. After preparation, the soil is poured back into the hole, leaving a depression the size of the diameter of the rhizome.

When planting Delphinium, the root collar with renewal buds should be at the level of the soil surface. After planting, the plants are watered. If the weather is dry, watering is repeated for several days. Before the onset of frost, the beds are loosened and weeds are removed.

Plant care

In the spring, when the shoots reach 10.15 cm, delphiniums can be fed with mineral or liquid organic fertilizers. Usually a solution of cow manure is used at the rate of one bucket per 10 buckets of water, one bucket per five adult bushes.

Mulching the soil with peat or humus has a very good effect on the development of plants. The mulch is spread in a layer of 2.3 cm after removing weeds and loosening the soil.

Thinning of the bushes begins when the stems reach a height of 20–30 cm. Limiting the number of stems to three to five allows you to obtain larger inflorescences. Weak shoots are broken off at the very surface of the soil, where they connect to the root collar. First of all, shoots are removed from the inside of the bush.

This ensures good air circulation and protects plants from diseases. Instead of thinning the bushes in the spring, you can break out or cut off excess renewal buds in the fall. In this case, in the spring, all nutrients will flow directly to the remaining buds, which accelerates the development of stems and inflorescences.

When the Delphinium height is 40.50 cm, supports are installed. It is recommended to place at least three stakes up to 180 cm long for each plant. In order not to damage the rhizome, the stakes are driven in at some distance from the root collar. Fastenings made of a metal rod bent into a semicircle and secured to posts driven into the ground are also very convenient. This method of fastening does not disturb the natural appearance of the plant.

The most vulnerable part of delphiniums is the junction of the stem and rhizome. Therefore, the first garter is made at a height of 40.50 cm. It is better to use narrow strips of cotton fabric as garter material, since the twine can cut into the stem during the wind.

The second garter of the stems is done at a height of 100.120 cm. Varieties with a massive inflorescence must be tied in the lower and even middle parts of the inflorescence, otherwise under the influence of wind and rain, when a lot of water accumulates on the flowers, it may break.

When planting delphiniums among shrubs that can provide support for the stems, the plants can be grown without the use of supports. During the growing season, each delphinium requires about 60 liters of water.

During dry periods, 2.3 buckets of water per week should be poured under each bush. Daily light watering provides less benefit, since only the top layer of soil is moistened. After watering, when the soil dries out a little, loosening is carried out to a depth of 3.5 cm.

Delphiniums require a lot of water during the formation of inflorescences. However, with extreme heat and an abundance of moisture, areas devoid of flowers may appear in the inflorescence.

This is explained by the uneven growth of different parts of the inflorescence axis. In some cases, “brush gaps” will be eliminated by feeding plants with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers during the budding period. 20 g of fertilizers are diluted in one bucket of water and 1 liter is poured under each bush.

After flowering, if the purpose of collecting seeds is not pursued, the inflorescences are cut off. New shoots appear at the base of old stems, and the plants bloom a second time in the fall. However, during secondary flowering, renewal buds grow and so that delphiniums bloom well next year.

It is recommended to leave the inflorescences and stem until the seeds ripen. Sometimes, to obtain larger inflorescences, all lateral branches are removed, although this extends the flowering period by two to three weeks.

In autumn, after the leaves dry, the delphinium stem is cut off, leaving a stump 25-30 cm high. The tall stump prevents water from penetrating through the cavity of the stem to the root collar, thereby protecting the rhizome from rot. Especially a lot of water can get into the stem cavity in the spring when the snow melts, so it is sometimes covered with clay.

Delphiniums tolerate winter well, and can withstand severe frosts under a layer of snow. Young seedlings overwinter just as well as adult plants. In the absence of snow cover, the ridges should be covered with straw or spruce branches. Spring frosts up to -5. Seedlings tolerate -6° C without damage to the leaves. Alternating frosts and thaws in late autumn or early spring can cause the death of delphiniums.

Excess moisture during this period causes rotting of the rhizome. To protect against diseases, it is better to plant Delphinium on ridges raised by 10.15 cm; It is recommended to add a shovel of clean river sand to each root collar.

Joke

- Well, how was your weekend?

- Not given! She didn't even let me in. She said: “Forget that you have it,” and with these words she turned off my computer and dragged me to bed!

To describe delphinium. It is enough to say the phrase: “And there is only one warrior in the field!” Plant it in a flower garden with “company” - it will stand out, force it to grow alone - it will gather all the attention of those around you! In addition, delphinium flowers are wonderful partners who happily share their nobility with their neighbors. Against their background, the rose queen, the modest aquilegia, and even the majestic stachys look equally good.

The fashion for flowers changes from season to season, but this does not apply to delphinium: it is always in demand. The name of this plant comes from the resemblance of the buds to the body of a gray dolphin. The spur of the flower is similar in shape to the body of the animal, and the folded sepals are similar to its head. Although in Rus' the flower was called spur or larkspur.

We can talk for a long time about the variety of delphinium varieties and describe the most striking of them, but I want to talk about how to care for this garden plant. There are annual and perennial species.

Growing delphinium

It is best to propagate perennial delphiniums by dividing the rhizomes (in fact, if you already have a mother bush, although it is not a problem to buy it at the market from grandmothers). You can grow delphinium from seeds, but this is a long and difficult process, and the delphinium seeds must be fresh, otherwise they will not sprout. So, it is best to divide the rhizome in the fall (in September, when frost is still far away) so that the delphinium has time to take root.

Choose a sunny place, but one where there is no sun at lunchtime, otherwise the flowers will simply burn out, no matter how much water you pour. This is a temperate climate plant, cool, damp summers are just right for it. Keep in mind that a flower will live in one place for about eight years. If you are planting several delphiniums, then maintain a distance of 60 centimeters (delphiniums are by no means babies; in the summer they reach 1.5 meters or more).

Delphinium planting and care

Now let's prepare the ground. We dig holes 50x50, take out all the soil, mix it with peat and humus (in any quantity), add a matchbox of ash, complex mineral fertilizer and lime. We plant our root pieces into this mixture. The only thing is to make sure that when planting, the root collar with buds is slightly above the ground level. Be sure to water immediately after planting, and then for two to three days. The root survival rate is good; by the first frost, delphinium flowers are already completely rooted.

Fertilizer application. In spring, young delphiniums will begin to grow. At this time, you need to carry out the first feeding. You can use any mineral water, although even better is cow manure diluted in water 1:10. After this, you need to carry out two more potassium feedings: as soon as the buds appear and when the wave of flowering begins.

Watering. You need to water rarely, but a lot: add about three buckets of water to one plant at a time so that the roots are well saturated. When the soil dries, it needs to be loosened. I noticed that delphinium really likes mulching: after weeding, mulch it with humus, a layer of 2-3 centimeters.

Care. When the stem grows to 30 centimeters, you need to thin it out: break off weak, flaccid shoots at the base, leaving 4-5 of the strongest ones. This allows the delphinium to develop better and get sick less, because air circulation increases.

Have the shoots grown to 50 centimeters? It's time to tie them up. For each plant, place one metal stake 1.8 meters high. We tie it in two stages: at a height of 40-50 centimeters, and at a height of 1 meter. Tying up saves plants from wind and rain, because drops of water that collect in the inflorescences can break off the delphinium.

The pegs are not very decorative; you can buy special rods or arcs in the store, they are useful and almost invisible.

Preparing for winter. Plants winter well even in the northern zone; they can withstand temperatures down to -50ºС with dignity, but are afraid of sudden changes (either frost or thaw). For wintering, you need to cut off the stem of the delphinium, leaving a stalk of 20-30 centimeters. If you make a cut higher from the ground, then spring moisture can accumulate through it, which provokes rotting of the roots.

Pests and diseases

– this is the main and worst enemy! She overwinters in cocoons near the roots, and in May lays eggs at the base of the delphinium stem. To destroy it, you need to knowingly add a special drug against this evil spirit to the soil, and also examine the root collar during transplantation and treat it with this product if a fly is detected. Powdery mildew. A fairly common disease (not only delphinium is affected, but also mirabilis, evening primrose, roses, limonium, perennial carnation and other garden flowers). It is better to prevent it by treating the plants with special preparations. If you do not welcome any chemicals, you can make an iodine solution (5 grams per bucket) and treat the flowers with it once a week. Three procedures will be enough.

I sincerely hope that your delphiniums do not suffer from these pests. Let caring for them bring only joy and good mood!

It's hard to believe.

Delphinium is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant with numerous flowers located along a tall stem reaching more than 2 m in height. The flowers belong to the Ranunculaceae family, a close genus of Aconites.

Plants of this botanical group contain toxic compounds - alkaloids - in all their parts. Plants containing alkaloids can be both medicinal and poisonous. Whether delphinium is poisonous or not depends on the interaction with the plant; poisoning can occur when its various parts enter the stomach, and contact with leaves and flowers can cause allergic reactions. In general, delphinium is not dangerous to humans.

Everything about the delphinium is said by its great species diversity and wide geographical distribution since ancient times. On the territory of Russia, mainly annual species of field spur and its related genus, called Sokirki, grow. Often only selective plant hybrids are grown in gardens.

Delphinium

The Latin botanical name of the flower is delphinium, which, according to various sources, comes from the similarity of unopened buds to the body of a dolphin or from the oldest place of growth - the Greek city of Delphi.

The popular Russian name is larkspur, given due to the medicinal properties of the plant, the grass of which was used for bone fractures. The flower was called a spur flower because of the way delphinium flowers look and the presence of a spur structure element on the flowers.

Interesting! Thanks to its blue shades, delphinium is called in literature the blue miracle of gardens and the premier perennial.

For medical or other purposes, the cultivation of spurs is limited; the main purpose of cultivation is decorative.

Plant characteristics

Description of the delphinium plant:

• The stem is straight, hollow, easily broken, tall species require garter. The height of dwarf species is from 10 to 40 cm, for tall species it is up to 2 m, and for forest species it can reach 3 m.
• Leaves are dissected, with jagged and serrate edges, wedge-shaped or multifaceted, often pubescent. The leaves are colored depending on the flowers: flowers of dark shades have brown or reddish leaves, while light flowers have green leaves. The leaves are arranged alternately on the stem, their number depends on the type of delphinium and the quality of the soil. On well-fertilized soils, three times more leaves grow than on depleted soils.
• The flower is simple, semi-double or double, of a shape adapted for pollination by bumblebees and hummingbirds. The color of the flowers is blue or purple; in cultivated forms there is also a white color or with shades of pink. Delphinium flowers are formed into paniculate or pyramidal inflorescences of varying density. The size of the flower is from two to eight centimeters, depending on the type. The number of flowers in an inflorescence can range from 50 to 80 pieces; the flowers are located on half of the stem.

Interesting! Delphinium flowers begin to bloom from bottom to top.

• The seeds are black, with three sides, small, up to 800 seeds can be obtained from one inflorescence. The seeds are located in the fruit - a leaflet; there are usually three of them in each flower or about eight in a semi-double flower. The germination of seeds is maintained during storage for 3-4 years, and their shelf life in the refrigerator is unlimited.
• The root system is racemose, without a dominant root with many adventitious roots. The rhizome, depending on the growing conditions, can develop into a stem root.
• Flowering - for annual species: from mid-summer to autumn, for perennials - about three weeks at the beginning of summer. Perennials bloom for 5-7 years.
• Reproduction - by seeds, cuttings, dividing the bush.

Delphinium

What are the names of flowers similar to delphiniums? These are ornamental plants that also resemble slender conical candles with their flowering: lupine, liatris, eremurs.

Characteristics of species

In gardening, annual, perennial and hybrid species of delphinium larkspur flowers are used.

Annual plants:

• Field delphinium is a bush, up to 2 meters high, with dissected leaves and loose inflorescences, the length of which is about 30 cm. It has been grown in gardens since 1575. Inflorescences of different colors: blue with a white center, dark blue, soft pink. Flowers are grown for cutting purposes. Spectacular varieties: Frosted Sky, Qis Dark Blue, Qis Rose.
• Delphinium Ajax - has been cultivated for several centuries, grows in dwarf forms, from 20 cm to a maximum height of 1 m. A species descended from the crossing of delphinium dubious and oriental. Leaves with strong dissection, hyacinth-type flowers, up to 5 cm in size, double with dense inflorescences. Some of the latest cultivated forms have pink, crimson, purple and white shades.

Perennial plants are divided into groups:

• Eurasian;
• American;
• African.

Hybrids, united in the cultural delphinium group:

• Belladonna is a rare species that has paniculate inflorescences with heavily dissected leaves. The stem is up to 80 cm long, with blue, purple flowers, with yellow and black eyes, and also with a completely snow-white delphinium flower. Varieties: Casa Blanca, Capri, Lamartine, Piccolo.

Belladonna

• Pacific - includes 12 varieties of American origin, which are suitable only for warm climates because they are poorly frost-resistant. The varieties are distinguished by a powerful, tall stem, with dense pyramidal inflorescences up to 1 m in length. The flowers are large, semi-double.
• The New Zealand breeder of the group is T. Dowdswell, who made a breakthrough in floriculture; he bred outstanding ornamental varieties of delphinium. Large luxurious semi-double and double flowers are decorated, including shortened stems, which increases the stability of the plant. Group varieties: Royal Aspirations, Green Twist, Dusky Maydens, Innocence, Mysty Mauves.

Features of agricultural technology

Delphinium is planted through seedlings and direct sowing of seeds in open ground. Delphinium is planted in the spring, in early April, but it can also be sown before winter.

Purchased delphinium seeds are considered quite capricious and often show poor germination, so it is best to collect your own seeds or treat them before planting.

Choose a place for growing that is illuminated, but with the possibility of light shading from the bright midday sun, otherwise the color of the flowers begins to quickly fade. When determining the correct planting location, it is important to know that the plant, due to its structural features, does not tolerate transplantation well.

The hollow stem breaks easily, so the growing area should be protected from the wind.

Important! Tall stems of delphinium with large inflorescences need a garter.

Soils with high acidity are not suitable for planting delphiniums. Spur will grow well in sandy and loamy, highly fertile soils with moderate humidity. Acidic soils are deoxidized using liming. Clay and depleted soils are fertilized with humus, compost, complex mineral fertilizers, and sand is added at the rate of 1 bucket of sand per 1 m² of area.

To obtain large inflorescences and prevent fungal diseases, you should not plant plants densely. Thinning is carried out when the shoots reach 30 cm, discarding weak specimens. On average, about 9-10 bushes are left per 1 m².

Choose a place for growing that is illuminated

When thinning, up to 5 shoots are left in multi-flowered varieties, about 10 in few-flowered varieties. Shoots from the middle of the bush are removed first. Thin shoots can be used for subsequent flower propagation.

The biological feature of the delphinium is that on the root collar there are renewal buds, which allow the plant to repeatedly shoot out the stem and bloom, therefore, when planting, a shallow depth of the seedling is important. After planting, the soil should be watered and mulched with dry peat.

Watering should not be superficial, which will harm the plant, but abundant enough to deeply wet the entire root system. It is recommended to water at the root. Loosening is carried out carefully so as not to damage the racemose rhizome.

Additional Information! After flowering ends, the delphinium stems are cut off.

Due to their hollow structure, cut stems can accumulate water inside and lead to rotting of the rhizome, so they are split or bent.

Perennial frost-resistant, zoned varieties can be left in winter without shelter. But temperature changes with alternating thaws and cold spells are detrimental to the plant.

Diseases and pests

Diseases:

• Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that appears as a white coating on the leaves and appears during heavy rainfall or cold weather. Plants with smooth leaves are less susceptible to powdery mildew. Plants in dense plantings and poorly drained soils are especially susceptible to fungal diseases. As a preventative measure, flowers are thinned out and sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux mixture. To treat the disease, a suspension of colloidal sulfur is used when spraying a flower garden.
• Viral diseases, such as ring spotting and various mosaic patterns, are manifested by slower flower growth and the appearance of yellow, orange and brown spots on the leaves. Viral infections cannot be cured, which is why plants are removed and destroyed, preferably by fire. Infected plants are dangerous to healthy garden flowers, so plant residues are not used for composting.
• Black spotting - appears during periods of high humidity and cold weather, manifests itself in the form of black spots on leaves of various shapes, and there is a brown tint on the underside of the leaf. The disease begins from the bottom, gradually affecting the entire stem, which remains blackened. All plant residues of affected plants are burned. Places of growth are disinfected.

Pests:

• Delphinium mite - most often distributed in Siberia, accumulates on the lower parts of leaves, but it is impossible to visually detect it due to its microscopic size. The mites feed on the juices of the plant, the leaves become deformed, curled, swelling is visible, then brown spots and complete death. Mite damage can be confused with viral diseases, especially with a strong spread, when the plant is severely inhibited, remaining dwarf in growth, without the formation of inflorescences. Treatments against insects are carried out using acaricides, low cutting and burning of plant residues.
• Orbia is a delphinium fly that overwinters in the pupal stage in the root system of the plant, flies out, lays eggs in the buds, and larvae emerge from the insect eggs, which eat away the insides of the flower. The affected flower falls off and no seeds are formed. The pest is controlled by spraying with the insecticide prometrin.
• Aphids spreading on the undersides of leaves cause them to curl, turn yellow and dry out. Small areas affected by the pest are sprayed with a soap solution, infusion of tobacco dust; in case of heavy aphid infestations, plants are sprayed with chemical insecticides.

Plant damaged by pests and disease

Many flower growers know what delphinium is - flowers of ancient origin, popular and widely used in the design of flower beds, both in individual planting, including in flowerpots, and in creating decorative walls and backgrounds. These flowers are loved for their ease of care and rapid growth.

Nature pleases us with a variety of plant species and their beauty. But not every plant is harmless to others. There are many plants with beautiful leaves, showy flowers and colorful seeds that pose a danger to our health because they are poisonous to humans and pets.

Such plants contain special substances that, when exposed in a certain dose and duration of time, can cause various disorders of the human body, including death. And if you take children or pets with you to the dacha, then it is better to refuse to grow these plants. Everyone should be able to distinguish poisonous plants from others and be able to provide first aid in case of damage to the skin and mucous membranes and poisoning.

On the territory of Russia it grows about 400 poisonous plants!

Some of them are well known to everyone. It seems incredible, but plants such as aconite, narcissus, lily of the valley, dicentra, hellebore, hyacinth, poultry, columbine, kupena, euphorbia, delphinium and some others, which are widespread and often grown in garden plots, contain toxic substances in almost all parts: in the bulbs , rhizomes, seeds, flowers, leaves and berries.

All poisonous plants, depending on the presence and concentration of the poison, are classified into mildly poisonous, poisonous and deadly poisonous. Slightly poisonous plants contain mildly toxic substances or small amounts of toxic substances that cause short-term distress in the body. Poisonous plants cause an allergic reaction when the plant juice comes into contact with the skin or mucous membranes, and if ingested, it causes severe poisoning. Deadly poisonous plants, when even a small amount of them enters the body, cause severe poisoning, which can lead to death. Notice that the words poison and grass have the same root. Sometimes they say that - he was poisoned by grass.

Aquilegia (catchment)- a perennial plant from the ranunculaceae family. Aquilegia is often found in flower beds, as it is very decorative. Its flowers are blue, purple, red, pink, white and decorate any flower bed, but are very toxic. Signs of watershed poisoning are general weakness, tingling of the tongue, dizziness and nausea, dilated pupils, limb cramps, darkening of the eyes and impaired color vision, arrhythmia and heart pain. Stopping breathing leads to death.

Wolfsbane (wrestler)– Deadly poisonous, from roots to pollen. Even its smell is dangerous for humans. The plant contains (primarily aconitine), which affects the central nervous system and causes convulsions and paralysis of the respiratory center. Poisoning with aconite makes itself felt within a few minutes: a tingling and burning sensation is felt in the mouth, profuse salivation and abdominal pain begin, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness of the tongue, throat, face.

Pain and burning appear in the chest, vision is impaired. With severe poisoning, sharp motor and mental agitation and complete loss of orientation occur. As the poison spreads, the body temperature gradually drops and the pulse weakens, putting the heart at risk of cardiac arrest. In case of severe poisoning, death may occur within a few hours. But it should be noted that the toxicity of aconite strongly depends on the geographical location - in southern latitudes it is most poisonous, and in Norway, for example, it is fed to animals. And one more remark in defense of aconite - in cultivation, when cultivated on fertile garden soil, aconite loses its toxic properties after several generations, but only partially.

Colchicum – a bulbous plant with white and pinkish-lilac flowers that bloom in the fall, is not as harmless as it seems.

Colchicum bulbs contain a very toxic substance - colchicine Even the water in which the crocus stood is poisonous. The colchicine content is especially high in spring. Colchicine is secreted mainly by corms, which causes burns on the hands.

But the above-ground parts of the plant also contain various poisons. Poisoning can be severe: after a few hours, dizziness and nausea begin, a burning sensation in the throat occurs, which can later develop into colic and paralysis.

Brugmansia (angel's trumpets), datura (datura). Plants contain high concentrations of scopolamine, which, if ingested, causes dry mouth, migraines, rapid heartbeat, visual and auditory hallucinations, and even death. It should be remembered that it is not recommended to stay near these wonderful flowers for a long time, because you can even be poisoned by their smell, hallucinations, drowsiness, headache and nausea appear.

Vatochnik its milky juice can cause irritation on the skin, especially with simultaneous exposure to sunlight on the affected area.

Bulbs hyacinths contain oxalic acid and are poisonous if consumed internally. They can also cause contact dermatitis in people with sensitive skin.

Delphinium contains a poisonous substance - an alkaloid, similar to curare poison. At the beginning of the growing season, most of the alkaloids are found in the roots, and during the fruiting period - in the leaves.

Its unripe fruits are also poisonous.

In case of poisoning, there is an effect on the brain, resulting in a decrease in blood pressure, and with toxic doses, death also occurs from respiratory paralysis, accompanied by damage to the heart.

Dicentra(broken heart). All parts of the plant are poisonous and can cause severe poisoning if ingested.

Direct contact with the plant may cause skin irritation.

Irises also belong to poisonous plants.

Their rhizomes contain biologically active substances; when ingested in large quantities, they cause severe irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Clematis- a very popular and widespread perennial vine. When fresh clematis leaves and flowers are rubbed, pungent, pungent substances are released that cause coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, redness and inflammation of the skin.

If ingested, it may cause internal bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

Castor bean- a perennial plant, we grow it as an annual. During the season it grows up to 3 meters. At the ends of the branches there are racemose inflorescences consisting of two types of flowers: yellow staminate flowers and round pistillate flowers of green, bluish or bright scarlet color, depending on the variety. But it is not so much the inflorescences that are attractive as the huge leaves, dissected into 7-9 lanceolate lobes with large teeth along the edges. The color of the stems and leaves, in addition to green, can be purple or even bluish-red.

Castor bean seeds in appearance they resemble insects and can arouse interest with their shape, but do not forget that they contain the most dangerous poison ricin, which easily penetrates the cells of the body, blocks the synthesis of proteins, as a result of which the cells die.

First of all, the cells of the liver, lungs, and kidneys are affected, and the intestinal walls are destroyed. There is no antidote for ricin. Sometimes just one or two seeds can kill even an adult. Survivors of poisoning face long periods of treatment, and the effects of poisoning can last a lifetime. The first symptoms appear within a few hours and are very similar to an infectious disease: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea that lasts for several days. Blood pressure decreases.

Swimsuit contains poisonous glycosides and alkaloids, the rhizomes of the plant are especially rich in them.

When any part of the plant is eaten, the toxins cause serious damage to the digestive system.

Skin irritation, including dermatitis, is also possible.

Kupena Everything is poisonous - from roots to berries.

If ingested, it causes severe irritation of the gastrointestinal tract; the most dangerous are the round, dark blue or black berries that ripen after flowering.

May lily of the valleyWith contains a high concentration of cardiac glycoside, which causes cardiac arrhythmia, even cardiac arrest.

All parts of the plant are poisonous, especially its red berries, and therefore care must be taken when growing and propagating it.

There is poison even in the water in which lilies of the valley stand. When ingested, even in small quantities, the poison reduces the pulse, leads to vomiting, and pain in the abdomen.

Lakonos American: All parts of the plant, especially the roots and seeds, are poisonous. Cases of berry poisoning occur very often. A few berries swallowed can cause fatal poisoning, especially in children.

In case of mild poisoning, increased salivation, burning in the mouth, cramps in the gastrointestinal tract occur, and an acute attack of gastroenteritis may occur.

With more severe poisoning, changes in heart rate, seizures and death from respiratory failure are possible. Laconium sap can penetrate the skin, so any contact with the plant should be avoided.

Lupine is a distant relative of aconite and delphinium, but less dangerous.

However, it also contains dangerous alkaloids, similar in action to the alkaloids of delphiniums and aconites.

In many plants of the family poppy contains alkaloids hazardous to health. One of the most striking examples is the annual poppy, from which morphine is obtained. This garden plant used to be widely grown throughout the world, as its dry seeds are used in cooking, but now its cultivation is prohibited by law in Russia, many European countries and the United States. But growing perennial oriental poppy, more popular in our gardens, is not prohibited by law, although the plant contains chemically similar alkaloids, but they have a different effect.

Euphorbia They are widely used in the design of flower beds, but we must remember that the juice of euphorbia, which quickly thickens in the air, is very difficult to wash off with plain water and can cause severe irritation of the skin and mucous membranes.

In children, the reaction to irritation is much stronger.

If milky juice gets into your eyes, you should immediately consult a doctor, as serious eye damage, including complete blindness, is possible.

Digitalis It is considered a very dangerous garden plant. It is not recommended to plant it in places where there are small children.

The fact is that foxglove looks very attractive, but its leaves and fruits are deadly poisonous.

In small doses, the glycosides contained in digitalis stimulate the work of weakened heart muscles, but in case of overdose they lead to arrhythmia and a decrease in heart rate. Digitalis poisoning is accompanied by severe headache, vomiting, diarrhea and pain in the epigastric region.

You can get a heart attack by eating just a couple of leaves. The nervous system is affected, as evidenced by agitation, visual disturbances, convulsions, and even loss of consciousness.

Fortunately, digitalis toxins have a strong emetic effect and the stomach itself clears itself of dangerous contents. But you shouldn’t rely on such a protective reaction from the body. We must remember that it’s not for nothing that foxgloves are called “dead man’s bells”...

Daffodils very popular spring flowers, but, unfortunately, they are also poisonous, although they have a slightly different effect on humans.

The plant (most of all in the bulb) contains the alkaloid lycorine, which stimulates the vomiting center in the brain.

Vomiting and stomach pain can last from several hours to several days, and subsequently the toxins are eliminated from the body.

Fortunately, it won’t lead to death, but discomfort due to a disorder of the body is guaranteed! A large bouquet of daffodils should not be placed in the recreation area or in the bedroom, as the smell can cause a headache.

Lumbago(sleep-grass) is one of the dangerous garden perennials.

Its juice causes the appearance of blisters on the skin and even abscesses, and if ingested, it causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, paralysis of the heart and breathing.

In the above-ground parts of the lumbago, a substance was found, the breakdown product of which turns into a substance that acts as a heart poison, and the roots of the lumbago contain dangerous saponins.

Among the small-bulbous species that bloom in early spring, they are poisonous Umbrella birdwort, snowdrop and scilla. The bulbs of these plants, when consumed orally in large doses (one is enough for a child), cause vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, possible kidney damage and blood clotting disorders.

Rhubarb It can also turn from an edible plant into a poisonous one, since in its leaves it accumulates oxalic acid compounds that damage human kidneys and contributes to the deposition of salts and the formation of stones.

The danger is that poisoning does not manifest itself immediately; poisons accumulate in the human body for many years, and then can cause serious damage to the kidneys. It’s easy to avoid this fate: in the first half of summer, eat only rhubarb petioles and do not use the leaf blades for cooking.

Rue and ash tree release a lot of essential oils, especially on a hot sunny day. These essential oils, when in contact with the skin, make it very susceptible to sunlight.

Even without touching the plants, but simply being next to them, on a hot, sunny day, you can get serious burns, and if you rub the plant in your hands, the consequences will be even more severe.

Pigment spots may remain in places where the plant comes into contact with the skin. Rue is used as a herb, but no more than three leaves per day for an adult. People with weak hearts and children should absolutely not eat rue.

Sometimes in conversations about poisonous plants it sounds like this: “I tried it and nothing happened, there were no consequences.” We must always remember that the toxicity of plants depends on the time of year, geographic location, weather, soil, fertilizers, and the susceptibility of different people to the poison. Poisonous plants pose the greatest danger in dry and hot summers. It is important and necessary to remember, especially when traveling, that the toxicity of plants increases in the direction from north to south. The further south you go, the more dangerous plants can be to health.

In conclusion, I would like to say that the risk of poisoning from poisonous plants is statistically relatively low, but timely explanations and warnings, especially for children, will help avoid trouble. Make your child aware that you cannot try any plants, including berries and seeds, no matter how tasty they may seem, without permission. Teach your child that before eating anything picked in the garden or beds, even an apple, cucumber or the familiar carrot, you must always ask permission from adults. Explain that not all seeds and berries that animals or birds eat are edible to humans. But, nevertheless, it will be safer to temporarily refuse to plant poisonous plants in your garden or grow them in areas where access will be limited. This will be the best solution for the safe stay of children and pets in the country.

When caring for any of your plants, especially poisonous ones, do not neglect safety measures, do not forget to protect your skin and eyes. Wear gloves. And before you plant new plants on your site, collect complete and reliable information about them.

Be healthy, good luck and we invite you to dialogue on this topic!

Delphinium (spur)- a plant of the ranunculaceae family. There are more than 400 species of annual and perennial plants in the genus.

Propagated by seeds. Grow in sunny areas, on fertilized, moderately moist soils. Used in mixed flower beds, group plantings and for cutting.

Common in culture delphinium Ajaxo c - weakly branched annual, from 30 to 120 cm high, with a tap root, tripartitely dissected leaves. Flowers with a diameter of 5 cm or more are collected in a dense or loose inflorescence - a spicate raceme. The flowers are double and simple, of various colors. Blooms from June-July to September. The fruit is a pubescent leaflet. Triangular-shaped seeds, 1 g - 500-600 pcs. Crossroads.

Photophilous, cold-resistant, drought-resistant. Delphinium is propagated by seeds, sowing them before winter or in April in areas protected from the winds. Shoots appear after 7-12 days, flowering begins in early varieties after 70-80 days and lasts up to 2 months. The seeds ripen in August-September, and the harvest is harvested by mowing the seeds. Seed yield ranges from 110 to 500 kg/ha. There are a number of hybrid garden forms.

Hyacinthaceae. Varieties are tall (110 cm), low (50 cm) and dwarf (30 cm). The flowers are large, double, white, pink, red, blue, blue, collected in dense cylindrical inflorescences.

Imperial- 105-110 cm high, inflorescences on long peduncles, good for cutting.

Leucaceae. Tall, double varieties, for cutting.

Perennial rhizomatous plants. The stems are erect, leafy, 120-180 cm high. The leaves are large, with dissected lobes. The flowers are semi-double and double, 7 cm in diameter, of different colors. Inflorescences are a giant cylindrical or pyramidal raceme. Seeds of irregular shape, brown, 1 g - 350-400 pcs. Crossroads.

Photophilous, moderately moisture-loving, prefers fertile, loamy soils with a neutral environmental reaction. Propagated by seeds, more effectively by seedlings. Seeds are sown in boxes, beds, greenhouses in March-April. Shoots appear in 15-20 days. Seedlings in the rosette stage are planted in a permanent place in April-May. Plants may bloom in the year of sowing, which is undesirable. Such plantings are short-lived. It is advisable that flowering begins in biennial plants; The most viable delphinium plantings are those aged 3 years or more.

Delphinium blooms in June. The seeds ripen 30-40 days after flowering and fall out easily. Seed yield ranges from 40 to 60 kg/ha. After collecting the seeds, the stems are cut off, the plants are fed, the soil is loosened and protective measures are carried out.

Used for cutting, planting in groups, arrays, and camouflaging fences.

Varieties: Black Knight - dark purple; Blue Jay - dark blue with a black eye; Galahad - white; King Arthur - purple with a white eye; Spring Snow - lavender; Blue Lace - dark blue with a white eye.

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Magnificent ornamental plant - delphinium belongs to the ranunculaceae family. In the wild, it is found throughout the territory of the so-called Fennoscandia, which unites the regions of Scandinavia, the Kola Peninsula, Finland and the northern part of Karelia. From here, delphinium spread to the European part of Russia through Siberia. It also grows in the Far East, and is also found in Central Europe in high mountain ranges. Wild varieties of delphinium can be found on the edges of forests and in landfills. This plant has many other popular names in all countries: knight's spurs, spur, lark's heel or leg, larkspur.

The delphinium’s belonging to the Ranunculaceae family determines its compliance poisonous group of plants. All delphinium shoots are poisonous, but the seeds are the most poisonous.. The toxicity of the plant is due to the presence of alkaloids in it. Sometimes signs of poisoning by this plant of cattle, horses or sheep are observed. Honey collected by bees during the flowering of the plant can be poisonous to humans. And the pollen of the flower itself causes poisoning of bees.

The poisons contained in delphinium have a detrimental effect on the heart muscle and, accordingly, on blood circulation, prevent the spread of impulses along nerve fibers, and block the centers of the nervous system. A lethal dose of poison entering the body leads to respiratory paralysis and death. There is information in the literature that in ancient times delphinium tincture was used both as a poison for lubricating arrowheads and as a medicine for healing wounds.

Aquilegia

Growing Aquilegia began probably first in the monastery gardens in the 17th century. Around 1800, this activity also became popular among ordinary villagers. In 1673, aquilegia was mentioned in his writings by a professor at the Medical Academy in Turku, Finnish doctor and botanist Elias Tillandz, who was born in Sweden and founded the first botanical garden in Finland in Turku. The distribution of this plant in the northern territories begins from its natural growth area in the area of ​​​​the city of Olonets, the Baltic countries, as well as groves in the northern and northwestern parts of Ladoga. Wild natural species of aquilegia are so beautiful that many of them began to be used in ornamental gardening without selection.

Aquilegia flowers are arranged on long curved spurs on the stem, making them look like five elongated, long-necked birds gathered together. The funnel-shaped petals of the flower have the ability to store water. This property gave the plant its second known popular name - catchment. Many species of aquilegia have flowers containing a lot of honey with such long spurs that only long-proboscis insects such as butterflies and bumblebees can reach the nectar. Some bumblebees take honey by biting the base of the spur. Some American species of Aquilegia are pollinated by hummingbirds.
Aquilegia produces many small, dark seeds (flea beetles), which the plant throws far from the caps of the fruit.
The traditional color of aquilegia is blue. Many color forms with white or pink flowers have been bred from it by crossing.

The entire plant and, above all, the seeds of Aquilegia are poisonous.. True, there may be large differences in the level of toxicity of different species. For some species, a large part of a bouquet of aquilegia eaten by a small child can cause at most diarrhea. On the other hand, simply sucking the flowers of some types of aquilegia can lead to serious consequences: loss of consciousness, a feeling of constant drowsiness, constriction of the pupils, the appearance of a depressed state of mind, depression, and diarrhea. The leaves and especially young fruits contain amygdoline substances, as a result of the breakdown of which hydrocyanic acid is formed in the stomach. The poisonous effect of hydrocyanic acid is based on the fact that it prevents the formation of hemoglobin in the blood.

Lupine

Initially, lupine varieties appeared in North America, spreading over time to Europe and our region. Lupine seeds contain bitter toxic substances - alkaloids.
Annual lupine varieties have been studied and grown in Europe as livestock feed for at least three thousand years. In annual lupins, the seeds do not have time to ripen. At the same time, the spread of the use of this plant as a fodder was hampered due to the danger of poisoning animals, since alkaloids are also contained in lupine shoots. Non-alkaloid and low-alkaloid lupins are used for feed purposes. Nitrogen-containing lupine shoots are an excellent green fertilizer.

Decorative forms of lupine are widely known, having shoots 60-110 cm high with a long cluster of flowers at the top of the shoot. These tall plants can oppress their smaller neighbors. Lupine roots contain types of bacteria that bind free nitrogen from the air, thereby enriching the soil. Unlike annual species, the seeds of luxurious perennial lupins ripen on time. Seeds remain capable of germination for a very long time, tens, and possibly hundreds of years. Lupine pods are easy to collect and sow in a new growing location.

The traditional flower color is blue, but can also be red and white. Through breeding work, a wide variety of flower shades have been developed. If you want to keep a plant of the desired color, this can only be done by division. The preservation of color follows from hereditary factors, and blue genes are dominant or dominant relative to other colors. There are known cases when annual blue lupins randomly appeared from crops of annual yellow lupins.

How shoots and seeds of lupine contain poisonous alkaloids: lupinine, anagyrine, lupanine, lupinidine, sparteine, etc. Toxic compounds affect the central and peripheral nervous systems. The effects of these compounds have been compared to nicotine. Large doses are lethal because they paralyze the body's breathing. As a result of prolonged exposure to toxic substances, the metabolism of microelements in the liver is disrupted, which can lead to jaundice or cirrhosis of the liver.

The nutritional value of lupine as a feed crop is very high; in terms of protein content, lupine is similar to soybean. Lupine yields are higher than soybean yields. The ancient Romans cultivated lupine and knew how to process it to eliminate toxicity. The seeds were soaked in water and used for food. Treated shoots were used as a cosmetic product.

Currently, there are methods for technological processing of the plant that make it possible to exclude alkaloids from its composition and use it as a raw material for drugs against heart and eye diseases. Lupine fibers are also used in industrial production as additives to milk substitutes, in confectionery and pasta production. Flour from processed lupine seeds is added to diabetic products and baby food. Lupine is also used in the production of coffee substitutes and in the production of semi-finished meat products.

Read here for further descriptions of some poisonous plants -