Delphinium bakeri
Baker's larkspur
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Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Delphinium bakeri (Baker's larkspur) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by distinctive wide leaf lobes and coastal shale habitat.
Baker's larkspur is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges and northern San Francisco Bay region in Marin County, growing in coastal scrub and decomposing shale slopes at elevations of 80 to 305 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces dark blue flowers with distinctive sepals 9 to 11 millimeters long and a curved spur 9 to 13 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 50 to 100 centimeters tall that are glabrous and have a base narrower than the root, it forms an elegant upright structure. Its leaves are concentrated on the upper two-thirds of the stem, with lobes wider than 1 centimeter and crenate tips, creating a delicate, intricate foliage pattern. The fruit is slightly curved and measures 18 to 20 millimeters long, with smooth, shiny seeds featuring an inflated collar.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; distinctive wide leaf lobes and coastal shale habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub, decomposing shale slopes
Elevation: 80-305 m
California counties: Sonoma, Marin, Alameda
Bloom period
Delphinium bakeri blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
How to tell it apart
vs Lupinus: Delphinium has backward-pointing spurs on flowers; Lupinus has pea-family flowers with banner-wing-keel structure.; vs Geranium: Delphinium has spurred bilateral flowers; Geranium has radially symmetric 5-petaled flowers with no spur.; vs Epilobium: Delphinium has spurred flowers and palmately divided leaves; Epilobium has unspurred 4-petaled flowers and simple or opposite leaves.; vs Aquilegia: Delphinium has a single spur per flower; Aquilegia has 5 spurs radiating from the center.; vs Aconitum: Delphinium has an open spur with visible stamens; Aconitum has a closed hood hiding the stamens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Delphinium bakeri native to California?
Yes. Delphinium bakeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Delphinium bakeri bloom?
Delphinium bakeri blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Delphinium bakeri grow?
Delphinium bakeri occurs in Sonoma, Marin, Alameda, at elevations of 80-305 m.
What plant family does Delphinium bakeri belong to?
Delphinium bakeri is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
Is Delphinium bakeri rare or endangered?
Delphinium bakeri carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Delphinium californicum — California larkspur
- Delphinium californicum subsp. californicum — Coast or california larkspur
- Delphinium californicum subsp. interius — Hospital canyon larkspur
- Delphinium cardinale — Cardinal or scarlet larkspur
- Delphinium decorum — Coast larkspur
- Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum — Coast larkspur
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.