Bloomipedia
Dwarf larkspur (Delphinium tricorne)
Photo: Clay Gibbons via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Dwarf larkspur

Delphinium tricorne

Dwarf larkspur (Delphinium tricorne) is a flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–May across the U.S.

Native in the lower 48

Dwarf larkspur is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 7 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–May.

21states where USDA records it
7Bloomipedia state lists include it
12,207U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia

Quick look

Delphinium tricorne, known by the common names dwarf larkspur or spring larkspur, is a species of flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family. It is native to the central and eastern United States, where it is the most common Delphinium found.

  • It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 21 states. USDA PLANTS
  • In Kentucky, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April. iNaturalist
  • In Ohio, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–May. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 2,469 research-grade sightings of it in Kentucky, ranking #7 among the 178 flowers on our Kentucky list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,874 research-grade sightings of it in Ohio, ranking #94 among the 186 flowers on our Ohio list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,770 research-grade sightings of it in Tennessee, ranking #66 among the 182 flowers on our Tennessee list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,862 records)
Bloom time in the 7 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
KentuckyNativeApril2,469
OhioNativeApril–May1,874
TennesseeNativeMarch–April1,770
MissouriNativeApril–May1,158
IndianaNativeApril–May1,085
ArkansasNativeApril–May596
West VirginiaNativeApril450

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
State rare plant lists
Not listed Not on the official rare plant list in 4 of our 7 states.
See each state
Kentucky
Not listed Not on Kentucky endangered and threatened plant lists (400 KAR 3:040, eff. 2026). NatureServe: S5, secure in Kentucky. 400 KAR 3:040
Ohio
Not listed Not on Ohio endangered and threatened plants (Ohio Adm. Code 1501:18-1-03, eff. Dec. 26, 2024). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Ohio. OAC 1501:18-1-03
Tennessee
Not listed Not on Tennessee endangered plants (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-06-02-.04, Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Tennessee. TN rule 0400-06-02-.04
Missouri
Not listed Not on Missouri Wildlife Code endangered species (3 CSR 10-4.111), plants. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Missouri. 3 CSR 10-4.111
Indiana
No list Indiana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the DNR keeps a rare plant list, but it isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Indiana ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Indiana.
Arkansas
No list Arkansas has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Arkansas ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Arkansas.
West Virginia
No list West Virginia has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (only federally listed species are protected), so we show NatureServe's West Virginia ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in West Virginia.
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: DC (SH), GA (S2), MS (S2), SC (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleCaution: partly edible, partly poisonous

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: high). Poisonous parts: flowers, leaves, seeds, stems. Symptoms they list: “Burning of lips and mouth, numbness of throat; intense vomiting and diarrhea, muscular weakness and spasms, weak pulse, paralysis of the respiratory system, convulsions; may be fatal if eaten. Unless there is a lack of suitable forage, horses typically do not…” They also note: “Poisonous” NC State Extension

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Larkspur” (Delphinium species), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Unless there is a lack of suitable forage, horses typically do not consume toxic amounts of larkspur. The toxicity of the plant may vary depending on seasonal changes and field conditions; as the… ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records dwarf larkspur in 21 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia; District of Columbia.

Kentucky counties with USDA records: Adair, Allen, Anderson, Barren, Bath, Bell, Boone, Bourbon, Bracken, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Calloway, Campbell, Carlisle, Carroll, Carter, Casey, Clark, Crittenden, Cumberland, Edmonson, Estill, Fayette, Fleming, Franklin, Gallatin, Garrard, Grant, Grayson, Green, Greenup, Harlan, Harrison, Hart, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Jackson, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Lewis, Lincoln, Lyon, Madison, Marshall, Mason, McCracken, McCreary, McLean, Meade, Menifee, Mercer, Metcalfe, Morgan, Nelson, Nicholas, Oldham, Owen, Pendleton, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Todd, Trimble, Union, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Whitley, Wolfe, Woodford.

Ohio counties with USDA records: Adams, Athens, Belmont, Butler, Carroll, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Columbiana, Coshocton, Darke, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Greene, Guernsey, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Licking, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Meigs, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Tuscarawas, Vinton, Warren, Washington, Wayne.

Tennessee counties with USDA records: Anderson, Bedford, Benton, Blount, Cannon, Carter, Cheatham, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Coffee, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, Grainger, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Hawkins, Hickman, Houston, Jackson, Knox, Lincoln, Loudon, Macon, Marion, Maury, Meigs, Montgomery, Overton, Perry, Putnam, Roane, Robertson, Rutherford, Scott, Sevier, Smith, Stewart, Sullivan, Sumner, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne, Weakley, Williamson.

Names, range and relatives

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 574 counties across 19 states; the most are in Missouri (90), Kentucky (76), Illinois (71).

Other Delphinium on Bloomipedia (4): Upland larkspur, Columbian larkspur, Desert larkspur, Low larkspur.

More from the Ranunculaceae family (48 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Lesser celandine, Rue anemone, Red columbine, Wood anemone, Western columbine, Marsh marigold, White baneberry, Round-lobed hepatica.

More Kentucky flowers

Rue anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)

Rue anemone

Thalictrum thalictroides

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Sharp-lobed hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba)

Sharp-lobed hepatica

Hepatica acutiloba

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🌼 Blooms in KY: March–April
Red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Red columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

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🌼 Blooms in KY: April–May

Sources