Delphinium ajacis

Native from southern Europe to central Asia and the western Himalayas, this annual herb grows upright to about 3 feet tall. Its finely divided leaves have narrow, thread-like segments. Tall flower clusters carry blue to purple blooms, with pink and white forms also grown in gardens. Each flower has a long spur extending behind it. It is cultivated for borders and cut flowers and has become naturalized in parts of New South Wales, Australia. The plant and seeds are poisonous if eaten. Photographed in Peru.