Delphinium ajacis
Doubtful knight's spur
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Delphinium ajacis (Doubtful knight's spur) is a non-native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by Only Consolida in California, distinguished from Delphinium by single-follicle fruits and other morphological features.
Doubtful knight's spur is a naturalized annual found in coastal and southern California regions including the Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California, and South Coast, typically growing in disturbed soils at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces delicate flowers with soft colors ranging from blue to purple, growing in clusters of 8 to 21 blooms. Growing with tall, slender stems 45 to 100 centimeters high, the plant has a somewhat puberulent appearance with glabrous stem bases. Its finely divided leaves feature 14 to 21 narrow linear segments less than 2 millimeters wide, creating a delicate, lacy foliage structure. The flower's lateral sepals reach 8 to 15 millimeters long with a distinctive spur 12 to 18 millimeters in length, adding to its distinctive ornamental character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Consolida in California, distinguished from Delphinium by single-follicle fruits and other morphological features
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed soils, generally a waif
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: to eastern United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Delphinium ajacis blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Aconitum: Consolida has an open backward spur; Aconitum has a closed hood completely covering the flower center.; vs Delphinium: Consolida is annual with one seed pod per flower; Delphinium is perennial with 3-5 seed pods per flower.; vs Limnanthes: Consolida has irregular spurred flowers and finely dissected leaves; Limnanthes has regular 5-petaled flowers and pinnate leaves.; vs Ruta: Consolida has bilateral blue/purple spurred flowers; Ruta has yellow radially symmetric 4-5 petaled flowers.; vs Vancouveria: Consolida has blue spurred flowers in spikes; Vancouveria has white/yellow nodding flowers with reflexed petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Delphinium ajacis native to California?
No. Delphinium ajacis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Delphinium ajacis bloom?
Delphinium ajacis blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Delphinium ajacis belong to?
Delphinium ajacis is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
What habitat does Delphinium ajacis grow in?
Delphinium ajacis grows in Disturbed soils, generally a waif.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Delphinium andersonii — Anderson's larkspur
- Delphinium antoninum — Anthony peak larkspur
- Delphinium bakeri — Baker's larkspur
- Delphinium californicum — California larkspur
- Delphinium californicum subsp. californicum — Coast or california larkspur
- Delphinium californicum subsp. interius — Hospital canyon larkspur
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.