Tall larkspurs have a spurred blue flower, similar to that of garden delphinium. Broad leaves are divided into deep lobes. In contrast, wild geranium, which is often mistaken for larkspur, has shallow leaf lobes.
Tall larkspur is a perennial that is found on hillsides and in meadows.
It ranges in height from 1 to 2 meters. A hollow stem distinguishes larkspur from poisonous monkshood, which has a similar blue flower but with a hood. Low larkspur has spurred blue flowers that grow on the top third of a single and unbranched stem. It is found on grassy hillsides and in sagebrush areas, where it may reach a height of 2 feet. Leaves alternate and are divided into deep, narrow lobes.