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Dune Larkspur
Delphinium parryi ssp. blochmanae
1998
Most Delphinium stagger flower maturation to take advantage of bee harvesting habits, with female parts maturing first on the lower flowers. Bees tend to land at the basal flowers of an inflorescence and work their way up, dropping pollen on the lower flowers' mature stigmas along the way. The mature anthers of the upper flowers dust the bee with pollen to deliver to other flowers. Hairs on Delphinium are usually centered on the petal blade or on the edge; occasionally they are off-center. The beauty of Delphinium is wasted on cattlemen. It is the leading livestock poisoner in some areas of California. Many areas are grazed with special attention and timing to avoid serious losses.
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