Delphinium californicum subsp. californicum

Coast or california larkspur, Coast Or California Larkspur

Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Coast larkspur is a California native perennial found in the central Coast Ranges and western San Francisco Bay Area on slopes in dense chaparral at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces lavender flowers with hairy upper petals, nestled in puberulent inflorescences. Growing with slender stems that are softly hairy, the plant reaches moderate height in its dense chaparral habitat. Its leaves are characterized by puberulent margins and surfaces, with delicate, finely textured edges that contribute to the plant's subtle botanical complexity. The flower sepals are lavender-tinted, with lateral segments 7 to 11 millimeters long and a distinctive spur measuring 7 to 14 millimeters.

Habitat: Generally slopes in dense chaparral, western side of coast ranges

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: < 1000 m

Bioregions: CCo, w SnFrB.

California counties: San Luis Obispo, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Marin, Santa Barbara

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.