Delphinium cardinale
Cardinal or scarlet larkspur, Cardinal Or Scarlet Larkspur
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Delphinium cardinale (Cardinal or scarlet larkspur) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by unique red flower color.
Cardinal larkspur is a California native perennial found in southern coastal ranges, southwestern California, and the western edge of the Sonoran Desert on rocky slopes and talus in chaparral at elevations of 300 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from February to July, this plant produces brilliant red flowers with yellow lower petals, arranged in distinctive clusters with sepals pointing forward. Growing with tall stems 30 to 270 centimeters high that are curly-puberulent and firmly attached to a deeply branched root system, it develops complex, multi-lobed leaves with 5 to 27 distinct segments. Its basal leaves are nearly glabrous, with intricate leaf structures that can be present or absent during flowering. The fruit develops as a slender 12 to 18 millimeter pod with bumpy seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 27 sympatric species; unique red flower color is diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, generally talus, chaparral
Elevation: 300-1500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Ventura, Riverside, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, San Benito
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Delphinium cardinale blooms Feb-Jul.
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 cardinale native to California?
Yes. Delphinium cardinale is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Delphinium cardinale bloom?
Delphinium cardinale blooms Feb-Jul.
Where in California does Delphinium cardinale grow?
Delphinium cardinale occurs in San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Ventura, Riverside, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of 300-1500 m.
What plant family does Delphinium cardinale belong to?
Delphinium cardinale is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
What habitat does Delphinium cardinale grow in?
Delphinium cardinale grows in Slopes, generally talus, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.