Bot. [f. LARK sb.2 + SPUR.] Any plant of the genus Delphinium; so called from the spur-shaped calyx. The common larkspur is D. Consolida.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, II. xv. 165. The garden Larkes Spurre floureth all the Somer long.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, II. ccccxxvi. 922. The garden Larkes spur hath a rounde stem full of branches. Ibid., 923. The wilde Larkes spur hath most fine iagged leaues.
1664. Evelyn, Kal. Hort., Feb. (1679), 11. Sow also Lark-spurs, &c.
1769. De Foe’s Tour Gt. Brit. (ed. 7), I. 89. In the Ground between these Hills and Cambridge grows naturally abundance of Larkspur.
1856. Miss Mulock, J. Halifax, xxi. Sweet-Williams and white-Nancies, and larkspur and London-pride.
1882. Garden, 11 Feb., 91/2. Larkspurs are exceedingly showy annuals.
