Delphinium californicum
California larkspur
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Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Delphinium californicum (California larkspur) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by tall stature, branched inflorescence, and scaled seeds.
California larkspur is a native perennial found in California's coastal ranges and central western mountains in mixed evergreen forests and chaparral at elevations from 100 to 500 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces lavender to white flowers with distinctive forward-pointing sepals. Growing 1 to 2 meters tall with multiple stems that are generally puberulent and somewhat branched, it develops prominent rootstock buds. Its leaves have 3 to 15 deeply cut lobes ranging from 5 to 60 millimeters wide, creating an intricate delicate foliage structure. The plant produces elongated fruits 11 to 16 millimeters long with seeds covered in overlapping scales.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 26 sympatric species; distinguished by tall stature, branched inflorescence, and scaled seeds
Habitat and range
California counties: Monterey, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, Marin, Santa Barbara
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 californicum native to California?
Yes. Delphinium californicum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Delphinium californicum grow?
Delphinium californicum occurs in Monterey, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo and other counties.
What plant family does Delphinium californicum belong to?
Delphinium californicum is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Delphinium decorum subsp. tracyi — Tracy's larkspur
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.