Delphinium decorum subsp. tracyi
Tracy's larkspur, Tracy's Larkspur
Photo: parent species Delphinium decorum · (c) joergmlpts, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Delphinium decorum subsp. tracyi (Tracy's larkspur) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by leaf division pattern and montane meadow habitat.
Tracy's larkspur is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and northern Coast Ranges Interior at elevations of 700 to 2,300 meters in montane forest meadows. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces delicate blue to purple flowers with distinctive sepal spurs 13 to 20 millimeters long. Growing 7 to 45 centimeters tall with stems that range from prostrate to erect, it has a flexible growth habit characteristic of forest edge environments. Its deeply divided leaves have more than six lobes extending more than halfway to the petiole, creating an intricate and lacy appearance. The flower's lateral sepals measure 11 to 18 millimeters, contributing to its elegant woodland presence.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; distinguished by leaf division pattern and montane meadow habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Montane forest meadows
Elevation: 700-2300 m
California counties: Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, Siskiyou, Shasta, Tehama, Monterey, Trinity, Glenn, Marin, Modoc, Del Norte, San Mateo, Alameda, Sonoma, Contra Costa, Colusa
Bloom period
Delphinium decorum subsp. tracyi blooms May-Jun.
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. tracyi native to California?
Yes. Delphinium decorum subsp. tracyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Delphinium decorum subsp. tracyi bloom?
Delphinium decorum subsp. tracyi blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Delphinium decorum subsp. tracyi grow?
Delphinium decorum subsp. tracyi occurs in Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, Siskiyou, Shasta, Tehama, Monterey, Trinity and other counties, at elevations of 700-2300 m.
What plant family does Delphinium decorum subsp. tracyi belong to?
Delphinium decorum subsp. tracyi is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
What habitat does Delphinium decorum subsp. tracyi grow in?
Delphinium decorum subsp. tracyi grows in Montane forest meadows.
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.