Consolida ajacis, Delphinium ajacis, Dauphinelle des jardins

Consolida ajacis (L.) Schur
Synonym: Delphinium ajacis L.
Family: Ranunculaceae

• Common name: Larkspur, rocket larkspur, annual delphinium, doubtful knight's-spur
• Chinese: 飞燕草
• Dutch: Valse ridderspoor
• Finnish: Tarhakukonkannus
• French: Dauphinelle des jardins
• Italian: calcitrappa, fiorcappuccia
• Picard: Pyidaloehéte
• Portuguese: Esporinha
• Swedish: romersk riddarsporre

Description: Stems 3-8(-10) dm, glabrous to sparsely puberulent. Leaves 5-20 or more. Leaf blade orbiculate, 12-60-lobed or more, 1-5 cm wide, glabrous to puberulent, lobes less than 1.5 mm wide. Inflorescences 6-30(-75)-flowered, simple or with 3 or fewer branches; bracts (at least lowermost 2) with 5 or more lobes; pedicel ascending-spreading, 1-3(-5) cm, ± puberulent; bracteoles not touching sepals, 4-20mm from flower, ± linear, 1-3mm, ± puberulent. Flowers: sepals blue to purple, rarely pink or white, nearly glabrous, lower sepal 8-18 × 4-8mm, lateral sepals 8-18 × 6-14 mm, spur 12-20 mm; petals of same color as sepals or whiter, lateral lobes 3-6mm, terminal lobes 5-8 × 2-4 mm, sinus 0.2-1 mm. Follicles 12-25 mm, puberulent.

Whole  plant  very  poisonous,  parasiticide,  insecticidal. Toxic,  cattle  are  the  primary  animals  affected,  toxin  can also affect other ruminants as well as horses. Dangerous all parts, especially seeds and young leaves; roots believed to kill cows. Used in infusions to treat heart problems, wounds. [CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants]

Seed and leaf can induce dermatosis. Alkaloids ajacine and delphinine, occurring in  seed  and  young  plants  of  most  Delphinium  spp.  Ingestion  may  cause  stomach  upset  and nervous  symptoms;  death  may  occur  if  the  plant  is  eaten  in  large  quantities,  especially  by children. In Asia the seeds are reported to poison cattle; still they are used as cathartic and emetic. [Handbook of Medicinal Herbs]

60 Published articles of Consolida ajacis
1.    2 NEW NORDITERPENOID ALKALOIDS FROM THE ROOTS OF DELPHINIUM-AJACIS Pelletier, S.W., et al., Journal of Natural Products, 1992. 55(6): p. 736-743.
2.    A bacterial disease of Delphinium ajacis Dodge, B.O., Journal of the New York Botanical Garden, 1935. 36(431): p. 257-260.
3.    AJADININE - A NEW NORDITERPENOID ALKALOID FROM THE SEEDS OF DELPHINIUM-AJACIS - THE COMPLETE NMR ASSIGNMENTS FOR SOME LYCOCTONINE-TYPE ALKALOIDS Desai, H.K., B.T. Cartwright, and S.W. Pelletier, Journal of Natural Products, 1994. 57(5): p. 677-682.
4.    An effective storage protocol for improving the postharvest performance in cut spikes of Consolida ajacis Nieuwl cv. Violet blue Shahri, W. and I. Tahir, Scientia Horticulturae, 2011. 129(1): p. 154-158.
5.    Antibacterial activity of plant part extracts of Delphinium ajacis Linn. Against a human and a plant pathogenic bacterium Jain, N. and A. Bohra, Advances in Plant Sciences, 2006. 19(1): p. 171-174.
6.    ANTI-METABOLITES AND CHIASMA FORMATION IN DELPHINIUM Singh, U. and H.K. Jain, Cytologia, 1979. 44(1): p. 123-133.
7.    Behaviour of two mutable genes of Delphinium ajacis Demerec, M., Journal of Genetics, 1931. 24(2): p. 179-193.
8.    Biosynthesis of diterpenoid alkaloids in Delphinium ajacis Frost, G.M. and et al., Chemistry and Industry, 1967(8): p. 320-1.
9.    Biosynthesis of diterpenoid alkaloids in Delphinium ajacis Frost, G.M., et al., Chemistry & Industry, 1967. 8: p. 320-1.
10.    CHARACTERIZATION OF FIBROUS COMPOUND OF GOLGI VESICLES IN TAPETAL CELLS OF DELPHINIUM-TRICORNE Gabara, B., Protoplasma, 1975. 86(1-3): p. 159-168.
11.    CHROMOSOME ASSOCIATION AND BEHAVIOR IN AUTOTETRAPLOID DELPHINIUM-AJACIS L Singh, R.N., Cytologia (Tokyo), 1991. 56(3): p. 479-484.
12.    Control of intranuclear genetic recombination in larkspur Delphinium ajacis Anonymous, Agric Res, 1962. 2((1)): p. 4-4.
13.    DELPHINIUM ALKALOIDS .4. THE ALKALOIDS OF THE SEEDS OF DELPHINIUM-AJACIS Goodson, J.A., Journal of the Chemical Society, 1945(MAR-): p. 245-246.
14.    DIFFERENTIAL RADIOSENSITIVITY ON A TISSUE-LEVEL IN DELPHINIUM-AJACIS Mandal, S.K. and R.K. Basu, Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 1980. 18(9): p. 940-943.
15.    Diseases of rajanigandha (Polianthes tuberosa L.) and larkspur (Delphinium ajacis L.) caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc Das, A.C., Sci and Cult, 1961. 27((11)): p. 549-550.
16.    Effect of cycloheximide on postharvest performance of cut spikes of Consolida ajacis cv. Violet Blue Shahri, W. and I. Tahir, Journal of Applied Horticulture (Lucknow), 2011. 13(2): p. 134-138.
17.    Effect of dry and wet storage at cool temperatures on postharvest performance of Consolida ajacis cv. Violet blue spikes Waseem, S., T. Inayatullah, and G. Fahima, Journal of Plant Biology, 2009. 36(1/2): p. 5-9.
18.    EFFECT OF LOW-TEMPERATURE ON THE NUCLEOLUS OF LARKSPUR (DELPHINIUM-AJACIS L) MEIOCYTES Gabara, B., Folia Histochemica Et Cytochemica, 1980. 18(4): p. 259-&.
19.    Further observation on the abnormal flowers of Delphinium ajacis Linn Bhandari, M.M., Sci and Culture, 1956. 21((7)): p. 371-372.
20.    Identification of delsoline from Delphinium ajacis Sastry, S.D. and G.R. Waller, Phytochemistry, 1971. 10(8): p. 1961-1962.
21.    IDENTIFICATION OF DELSOLINE FROM DELPHINIUM-AJACIS Sastry, S.D. and G.R. Waller, Phytochemistry, 1971. 10(8): p. 1961-&.
22.    INDUCED AUTOTETRAPLOIDY IN DELPHINIUM-AJACIS Anis, M., Acta Botanica Indica, 1982. 10(2): p. 188-191.
23.    Influence of ethylene and 1-MCP on senescence and longevity of Consolida ajacis inflorescences Dos Santos, V.R., et al., Bragantia, 2005. 64(1): p. 33-38.
24.    Influence of temperature on respiration, e.p.a.l.o.C.a.i.F., F. L., et al., Bragantia, 2006. 65(3): p. 363-368.
25.    Irregularities in the floral structure in the garden variety of Consolida ajacis (L.) Schur In Ukrainian with Russian and English summ. Kordyum, Y.L., Ukrain Bot Zhur, 1961. 18((4)): p. 59-62.
26.    MASS SPECTRA OF LYCOCTONINE TYPE DI TERPENOID ALKALOIDS FROM DELPHINIUM-AJACIS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES Waller, G.R., S.D. Sastry, and K.F. Kinneberg, Proceedings of the Oklahoma Academy of Science, 1973. 53: p. 92-97.
27.    MASS-SPECTRAL STUDIES OF DITERPENOID ALKALOID, A., FROM DELPHINIUM-AJACIS Sastry, S. D. and G.R. Waller, Chemistry & Industry, 1972(9): p. 381-&.
28.    NATURE OF INTER CHROMOSOME CHIASMA DISTRIBUTION IN INVERSION HETERO ZYGOTES OF DELPHINIUM-AJACIS Prodhan, H.S., S. Dana, and S.L. Basak, Cell and Chromosome Newsletter, 1980. 3(2): p. 28-30.
29.    NEW NORDITERPENOID ALKALOIDS FROM THE LEAVES OF DELPHINIUM-AJACIS Lu, J., et al., Journal of Natural Products, 1993. 56(12): p. 2098-2103.
30.    NEW OR UNCOMMON PLANT DISEASES AND PESTS Ryan, C.L.J., Plant Pathology, 1966. 15(2): p. 96-&.
31.    NORDITERPENOID ALKALOIDS FROM THE STEMS AND LEAVES OF DELPHINIUM-AJACIS Liang, X.H., et al., Journal of Natural Products, 1991. 54(5): p. 1283-1287.
32.    NUCLEAR REGULATION OF ENDOSPERM OF DELPHINIUM-AJACIS L Lecoq, C., C. Guervin, and M. Brouland, Bulletin De La Societe Botanique De France, 1976. 123(9): p. 477-489.
33.    Nuclear regulation of the albumen of Delphinium ajacis Coq, C.L., C. Guervin, and M. Brouland, Bulletin De La Societe Botanique De France, 1976. 123(9): p. 477-489.
34.    OCCURRENCE OF DITERPENOID ALKALOIDS IN DELPHINIUM-AJACIS Waller, G.R. and R.H. Lawrence, Plant Physiology, 1972. 49: p. 43-&.
35.    ON THE PRESENCE OF LATHRAEA-SQUAMARIA AND CONSOLIDA-AJACIS IN THE LUMDA VALLEY WEST GERMANY Arnold, H., Hessische Floristische Briefe, 1984. 33(4): p. 63-63.
36.    ONTOGENESIS OF ENDOSPERM IN DELPHINIUM-AJACIS L - PROBLEM OF REGULATION OF CHROMOSOME-NUMBER AND OF QUANTITY OF INTRA-NUCLEAR DNA Guervin, C., C. Lecoq, and M. Brouland, Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires Des Seances De L Academie Des Sciences Serie D, 1976. 282(12): p. 1175-1178.
37.    ORGAN FORMATION FROM THE ANTHERS OF DELPHINIUM-AJACIS-D IN-VITRO ABSTRACT IAA 2 4 D HERBIC Konar, R.N. and K. Nataraja, Indian Science Congress Association Proceedings, 1967. 54(3): p. 327-327.
38.    Paerpi pill, c.c.a., sandalwood, clove, acacia gum, cephaelis ipecacuanha, pepper, cinnamon bark Maimaitibakealima, M. Maimaitibakealima M.
39.    PATTERN OF MUTATION OF UNSTABLE GENE IN DELPHINIUM AJACIS Dawson, G.W.P., Genetical Research, 1964. 5(3): p. 423-&.
40.    Physiological and biochemical changes associated with flower development and senescence in Consolida ajacis Nieuwl cv. Violet blue Shahri, W. and I. Tahir, Frontiers of Agriculture in China, 2011. 5(2): p. 201-208.
41.    Postharvest senescence of Consolida ajacis inflorescences Finger, F.L., T.F. Carneiro, and J.G. Barbosa, Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira, 2004. 39(6): p. 533-537.
42.    Preliminary studies on colchicine induced polyploids in larkspur (Delphinium ajacis) Kumar, S., Sci and Culture, 1959. 25((5)): p. 334-334.
43.    Pulsing with sucrose and silver thiosulfate extended the vase life of Consolida ajacis Finger, F.L., et al., in Proceedings of the Seventh International Symposium on Postharvest Physiology of Ornamental Plants, T.A. Nell and D.G. Clark, Editors. 2001. p. 63-67.
44.    QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE CYTOLOGICAL STUDY ON FERTILIZATION IN DELPHINIUM-AJACIS Brouland, M., C. Guervin, and C. Le Coq, Revue de Cytologie et de Biologie Vegetales, 1976. 39(1-2): p. 121-138.
45.    Qualitative inheritance of sepal and petal colour in Delphinium ajacis L Madhi, M.Z., et al., Technical Bulletin, Qubba Botanic Garden, 1977(1): p. 23-24.
46.    SCHIZOKOTYLIE UND PLEIOKOTYLIE BEI DELPHINIUM AJACIS Haccius, B., Zeitschrift Fur Induktive Abstammungs Und Vererbungslehre, 1955. 86(4): p. 498-520.
47.    Seed mycoflora of ornamental plants. II. Seed mycoflora of mallow ( Althaea rosea Car.) and larkspur ( Delphinium ajacis L.) Lacicowa, B., I. Kiecana, and D. Pieta, Prace Instytutu Sadownictwa i Kwiaciarstwa w Skierniewicach. Seria B, Rosliny Ozdobne, 1991. 16: p. 117-122.
48.    STEROLS AND TRITERPENES OF DELPHIMIUM-AJACIS Waller, G.R., S. Mangiafico, and R.C. Foster, Lloydia-the Journal of Natural Products, 1978. 41(6): p. 649-649.
49.    STEROLS OF DELPHINIUM AJACIS - PRODUCTION AND METABOLIC RELATIONSHIPS IN WHOLE PLANTS AND CALLUS-TISSUE Waller, G.R., et al., Planta Medica, 1981. 42(4): p. 344-355.
50.    STRUCTURES OF AJACUSINE AND AJADINE, N.C.-D.A.F.D.-A.L.P., S. W. and R.S. Sawhney, Heterocycles, 1978. 9(4): p. 463-468.
51.    STUDIES ON THE DEVELOPMENTAL ANATOMY OF RANALES 6. HISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF THE SHOOT APEX OF DELPHINIUM-AJACIS DURING TRANSITION TO FLOWERING Kavathekar, K.Y. and A. Pillai, Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy Part B Biological Sciences, 1979. 45(6): p. 577-585.
52.    STUDIES ON THE DEVELOPMENTAL ANATOMY OF RANALES PART 1 APICAL MERISTEMS OF DELPHINIUM-AJACIS Pillai, A. and K.Y. Kavathekar, Journal of the Indian Botanical Society, 1976. 55(2-3): p. 125-132.
53.    Synergistic Effect of STS and Cool Storage on Postharvest Performance of Cut Spikes of Consolida ajacis cv. Violet Blue Shahri, W., et al., Horticulture Environment and Biotechnology, 2011. 52(5): p. 466-470.
54.    THE EFFECT OF ACTINOMYCIN-D ON CHROMOSOME BEHAVIOR IN DELPHINIUM Singh, U., Cytologia, 1982. 47(3-4): p. 595-602.
55.    The influence of the length of the photoperiod on the vegetative and reproductiive development of Rudbeckia bicolor superba, D.a., Cosmos sulphureus, and Impatiens balsamina Austin, J. P., American Journal of Botany, 1941. 28(3): p. 244-250.
56.    THE NUCLEAR REGULATION OF THE ALBUMIN OF DELPHINIUM-AJACIS Le Coq, C., C. Guervin, and M. Brouland, Bulletin De La Societe Botanique De France, 1976. 123(9): p. 477-490.
57.    The qualitative inheritance of some floral characteristics in Delphinium ajacis L Mahdi, M.Z., W.A. Warid, and S.H. Elsayed, XI International Botanical Congress, Seattle, 1969, 1969: p. p-138 p.
58.    THE QUALITATIVE INHERITANCE OF SOME FLORAL CHARACTERISTICS IN DELPHINIUM-AJACIS-D Mahdi, M.Z., W.A. Warid, and S.H. Elsayed, XI International Botanical Congress, 1969: p. 138-138.
59.    THE STRUCTURE OF AJABICINE, A.N.D.A.F.D.-A.J., B. S., et al., Tetrahedron Letters, 1993. 34(9): p. 1441-1444.
60.    VEGETATIVE CELL NUCLEUS, G.C.O.M.E.P.-T.I.C.-A.L.S.P., G., B. Barnabas, and M. Taller, Acta Agronomica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 1972. 21(1 2): p. 63-&.