Introduction Polycyclic diterpene alkaloids have a complicated diterpene nucleus . They are found in plants in the Delphinium spp.
Larkspurs kill more cattle in the United States yearly than all other poisonous plants combined.
Description and distribution Larkspurs are the primary source of plant poisoning of cattle on the western ranges of the United States. Larkspurs are grouped by their heigth. They are one of the first plants to emerge in the spring, even when there is still snow cover, and hence, appear inviting to cattle hungry for green vegetation. Early spring is when poisonings due to low larkspurs are most likely to occur. They can be found in alpine meadows or under dense tree cover in aspen and pine forests and are very palatable to cattle.