Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum
Coast larkspur, Coast Larkspur
Photo: parent species Delphinium decorum · (c) joergmlpts, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum (Coast larkspur) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by basal leaves and low coastal elevation.
Coast larkspur is a California native perennial found in northern coastal and San Francisco Bay bioregions in open coastal grassland and chaparral at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces blue to purple flowers with distinctive spurs 13 to 19 millimeters long. Growing with relatively short stems 8 to 35 centimeters tall and standing erectly, it has a delicate, upright form. Its leaves are distinctively divided, typically featuring five deep lobes that extend more than halfway to the leaf petiole. The inflorescence is softly puberulent, giving the flowering stems a subtly textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; distinguished by basal leaves and low coastal elevation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open coastal grassland, chaparral
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Marin, Monterey, San Mateo, Humboldt, San Francisco, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Del Norte
Bloom period
Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum blooms Mar-May.
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 decorum subsp. decorum native to California?
Yes. Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum bloom?
Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum grow?
Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum occurs in Marin, Monterey, San Mateo, Humboldt, San Francisco, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Del Norte, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum belong to?
Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
What habitat does Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum grow in?
Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum grows in Open coastal grassland, 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.