Picture of lavender delphinium flowers. The name of the genus in this case (namely, Delphinium) is so widely recognized that it has virtually become a common name. Although the common name "larkspurs" is also in use for these plants, many people commonly refer to them as "delphinium" flowers. The name, "delphinium" has a rather unlikely derivation. It goes back to the Greek word for "dolphin," due to the flower shape in some species of delphinium.