Delphinium is a genus of about 300 species of perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae, native throughout the Northern Hemisphere and also on the high mountains of tropical Africa.
All members of the genus Delphinium are toxic to humans and livestock. The common name "larkspur" is shared between perennial Delphinium species and annual species of the genus Consolida. Molecular data show that Consolida, as well as another segregate genus, Aconitella, are both embedded in Delphinium.
The genus name Delphinium derives from the Ancient Greek word δξΝĎίνΚον (delphĂnion), meaning "larkspur" The name "delphinium" also derives from the Latin for "dolphin", referring to the shape of the nectary.
In June and July (Northern Hemisphere), the plant is topped with a raceme of many flowers, varying in color from purple and blue, to red, yellow, or white.
All parts of these plants are considered toxic to humans, especially the younger parts, causing severe digestive discomfort if ingested, and skin irritation. Larkspur, especially tall larkspur, is a significant cause of cattle poisoning on rangelands in the western United States. Larkspur is more common in high-elevation areas, and many ranchers delay moving cattle onto such ranges until late summer when the toxicity of the plants is reduced. Death is through cardiotoxic and neuromuscular blocking effects, and can occur within a few hours of ingestion. All parts of the plant contain various diterpenoid alkaloids, typified by methyllycaconitine, and are very poisonous.
Preparations made from D. staphisagria (apparently principally from the seeds) were used as a pediculicide throughout the last two millennia. Maud Grieve, in her famous Herbal, written in 1931, refers to stavesacre as being a "vermifuge" and "vermin-destroying", as well as to its parasiticidal properties. She also mentions that it is "violently emetic and cathartic". Also known as lice-bane or stavesacre.
The juice of the flowers, particularly D. consolida, mixed with alum, gives a blue ink.
All plant parts are poisonous in large doses, especially the seeds, that contain up to 1.4% of alkaloids.
Contains  Hexadecanoic acid ( palmitic acid) *see research link 22253112
Contains Carotol which has antifungal, herbicidal and insecticidal properties
Contains Delphinine, somewhat similar to aconitine *see research link /10978212
Promotes hair growth ( Extract prepared from the Seed of Delphinium staphisagria ) *see research link PMC5018283/
Anti-parasitic (Delphinium staphisagria)  against Trypanosoma cruzi  a cause of Chagas disease and  L. infantum and L.  braziliensis.which causes leishmaniasis, *see research link   /21466157 , 22666092/
Anticancer properties (Delphinium trichophorum)  *see research link  /24256579/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22253112
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carotol
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10978212
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphinine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/27642326/?i=2&from=Delphinium%20staphisagria
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5018283/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21466157
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22666092/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24256579/
