larkspur

A wildflower of the genus Delphinium — tall, spurred, blue to purple, rising from mountain meadows and open woodland in spring and early summer. The spur at the back of each flower contains nectar and gives the plant both its common name (resembling a lark's hind claw) and its genus name (resembling a dolphin's nose). Larkspurs are toxic to cattle — ranchers in the mountain West know them as a threat — and beautiful to everyone else.