Delphinium hansenii subsp. ewanianum
Ewan's larkspur, Ewan's Larkspur
Photo: parent species Delphinium hansenii · (c) Justin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Delphinium hansenii subsp. ewanianum (Ewan's larkspur) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by violet-maroon flowers and reduced basal leaves.
Ewan's larkspur is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Foothills and San Joaquin Valley in oak woodlands and grasslands at elevations of 60 to 600 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces violet-purple to maroon flowers with sepals 8 to 12 millimeters long and a distinctive spur 6 to 16 millimeters in length. Growing with stems 25 to 130 centimeters tall, often with a puberulent base, it has a sparse arrangement of basal leaves during flowering. Its leaves are primarily basal, with few present when the plant is in bloom. The inflorescence features pedicels spaced 6 to 25 millimeters apart, creating an open, delicate floral display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; distinguished by violet-maroon flowers and reduced basal leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Oak woodland, grassland
Elevation: 60-600 m
California counties: Madera, El Dorado, Calaveras, Tulare, Fresno, Kern, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, Mariposa
Bloom period
Delphinium hansenii subsp. ewanianum blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 hansenii subsp. ewanianum native to California?
Yes. Delphinium hansenii subsp. ewanianum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Delphinium hansenii subsp. ewanianum bloom?
Delphinium hansenii subsp. ewanianum blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Delphinium hansenii subsp. ewanianum grow?
Delphinium hansenii subsp. ewanianum occurs in Madera, El Dorado, Calaveras, Tulare, Fresno, Kern, Tuolumne, Stanislaus and other counties, at elevations of 60-600 m.
What plant family does Delphinium hansenii subsp. ewanianum belong to?
Delphinium hansenii subsp. ewanianum is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
Is Delphinium hansenii subsp. ewanianum rare or endangered?
Delphinium hansenii subsp. ewanianum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Delphinium hansenii subsp. hansenii — Hansen's larkspur
- Delphinium hansenii subsp. kernense — Kern county larkspur
- Delphinium hesperium — Foothill larkspur
- Delphinium hesperium subsp. cuyamacae — Cuyamaca larkspur
- Delphinium hesperium subsp. hesperium — Western larkspur
- Delphinium hesperium subsp. pallescens — Pale-flowered western larkspur
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.