Taking Care of Those You Love

Larkspur—Beautiful….but also poisonous

Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension

Family Economics Specialist

When I became an obsessive Wildflower Photographer during our Montana summers I made a decision that I would focus on common names of the wildflowers rather than trying to learn the genus and species…after all this was to be my hobby for enjoyment, not a class in which I would have to learn the scientific nomenclature that was proposed by Carolus Linneaeus, a Swedish botanist who lived from 1707-78.   That’s why I call this beautiful wildflower a larkspur and not a Delphinium bicolor.  Larkspurs contain many toxic alkaloids that can cause skin reactions and affect the nervous and respiratory systems.  The plants are poisonous for cattle, if eaten in large amounts.  Sheep are more tolerant of the plants toxicity.

Larkspurs are found on grassy prairies, on meadows, and in ponderosa pine forests up to subalpine zones in west, central, and east Montana.  You won’t find any at Big Sky in September during the NEAFCS Conference because by then we will have had a “hard” freeze.  But if you attend my preconference on September 12 entitled….Wildflower Reflections:  Families, Legacies, and Estate Planning you will meet the Larkspur Family and see the “toxic” and detrimental impact of the lack of planning.  You will also learn some ways you can take care of those you love through planning ... leave them with the beauty, not the poison of poor planning.

Speaking of love ... if you are looking for a way to send a lasting bouquet to someone you love, consider purchasing Marsha's Montana wildflower cards as a gift.  Plus, you'll also be giving to support the NEAFCS 2016 conference. More information here.

Give the gift that keeps on giving ...

Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension
Family Economics Specialist

If you didn’t attend NEAFCS in West Virginia, you missed out on the opportunity to purchase Montana Wildflower note cards that were made available by the Montana Association of Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (MEAFCS).  The association was selling the blank note cards as a fund raiser for the national meeting in Big Sky Montana during September of 2016. 

Thanks to this blog you have the opportunity to purchase Montana wildflower cards to help support the Big Sky Conference.  These are perfect gifts for any occasion (holidays, anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, and thank you’s).  The cost for each beautiful card is $5 apiece (plus $2 for shipping for 1 or 2 cards) or 5 cards for $20 (plus $3 for shipping for 3 – 5 cards).  All proceeds pass to MEAFCS to support the Big Sky conference.  

The photographer of these unique cards is our Montana State University Extension Family Economics Specialist and MEAFCS member, Marsha A. Goetting. 

If you would like to order a variety of cards in your favorite colors (blue, red, purple, yellow or white) or if you have favorite wildflowers let her know the common name such as shooting stars or forget-me-nots.  Some of her favorites include:  owl clover; all colors of paintbrushes; columbines; fringed grass of parnassus; and chocolate lilies.   Please make your check payable to MEAFCS and send to 422 Cutting, Bozeman, MT 59715.