Delphinium parishii subsp. parishii
Parish's, desert, sky blue, or mojave larkspur
Photo: parent species Delphinium parishii · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Delphinium parishii subsp. parishii (Parish's) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by desert habitat and blue flowers with reflexed sepals.
Parish's larkspur is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, Transverse Ranges, eastern Sierra Nevada, and Mojave Desert regions in desert scrub and juniper woodland at elevations of 300 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces sky blue flowers with distinctive lateral reflexed sepals and a delicate 8 to 15 millimeter spur. Growing with stems 17 to 100 centimeters tall, it develops a robust and branching structure. Its leaves are distinctive, with basal leaves having 3 to 5 lobes and cauline leaves featuring 3 to 15 lobes, typically absent during flowering. The plant produces fruits 9 to 21 millimeters long, completing its annual reproductive cycle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; desert habitat and blue flowers with reflexed sepals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert scrub, juniper woodland
Elevation: 300-2500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, Mono, Tulare, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Ventura, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, western Arizona, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Delphinium parishii subsp. parishii 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 parishii subsp. parishii native to California?
Yes. Delphinium parishii subsp. parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Delphinium parishii subsp. parishii bloom?
Delphinium parishii subsp. parishii blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Delphinium parishii subsp. parishii grow?
Delphinium parishii subsp. parishii occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, Mono, Tulare, San Luis Obispo and other counties, at elevations of 300-2500 m.
What plant family does Delphinium parishii subsp. parishii belong to?
Delphinium parishii subsp. parishii is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
What habitat does Delphinium parishii subsp. parishii grow in?
Delphinium parishii subsp. parishii grows in Desert scrub, juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum — Colorado desert larkspur
- Delphinium parryi — San bernardino larkspur
- Delphinium parryi subsp. blochmaniae — Dune larkspur
- Delphinium parryi subsp. eastwoodiae — Eastwood's larkspur
- Delphinium parryi subsp. maritimum — Maritime larkspur
- Delphinium parryi subsp. parryi — Parry's 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.