Delphinium hansenii subsp. kernense
Kern county larkspur, Kern County Larkspur
Photo: parent species Delphinium hansenii · (c) Justin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Delphinium hansenii subsp. kernense (Kern county larkspur) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by dried basal leaves and wider flower spacing.
Kern county larkspur is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi Mountains, and western edge of the Mojave Desert in open oak woodland and chaparral at elevations of 800 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces white to dark blue-purple flowers with sepals 7 to 13 millimeters long and a distinctive spur 8 to 16 millimeters in length. Growing with stems 34 to 110 centimeters tall that have a puberulent base, it develops sparse cauline leaves, typically no more than two per stem. Its basal leaves are usually dry by flowering time, creating a distinctive sparse foliage structure. The plant's intricate flower structure, with its contrasting white to dark blue-purple sepals, makes it a notable species in its native woodland habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; distinguished by dried basal leaves and wider flower spacing
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open oak woodland, chaparral
Elevation: 800-1900 m
California counties: Kern, Tulare, San Bernardino
Bloom period
Delphinium hansenii subsp. kernense blooms Apr-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 hansenii subsp. kernense native to California?
Yes. Delphinium hansenii subsp. kernense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Delphinium hansenii subsp. kernense bloom?
Delphinium hansenii subsp. kernense blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Delphinium hansenii subsp. kernense grow?
Delphinium hansenii subsp. kernense occurs in Kern, Tulare, San Bernardino, at elevations of 800-1900 m.
What plant family does Delphinium hansenii subsp. kernense belong to?
Delphinium hansenii subsp. kernense is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
What habitat does Delphinium hansenii subsp. kernense grow in?
Delphinium hansenii subsp. kernense grows in Open oak woodland, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Delphinium hesperium — Foothill larkspur
- Delphinium hesperium subsp. cuyamacae — Cuyamaca larkspur
- Delphinium hesperium subsp. hesperium — Western larkspur
- Delphinium hesperium subsp. pallescens — Pale-flowered western larkspur
- Delphinium hutchinsoniae — Hutchinson's larkspur
- Delphinium inopinum — Unexpected larkspur
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.