Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum
Colorado desert larkspur, Colorado Desert Larkspur
Photo: parent species Delphinium parishii · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum (Colorado desert larkspur) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by Sonoran Desert restriction and dark blue spreading sepals.
Colorado desert larkspur is a California native perennial with a CNPS rank of 4.3, found in the western Colorado Desert bioregion in chaparral and desert scrub habitats at elevations of 600 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces distinctive dark blue flowers with spreading sepals and a curved spur 12 to 14 millimeters long. Growing 19 to 78 centimeters tall with much-reduced cauline leaves, it has basal leaves present during flowering. Its leaves feature 7 to 12 distinctive lobes, creating a delicate and intricate foliage structure. The fruit develops 8 to 11 millimeters long, completing the plant's seasonal cycle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; Sonoran Desert restriction and dark blue spreading sepals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, desert scrub
Elevation: 600-1300 m
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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. subglobosum native to California?
Yes. Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum bloom?
Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum blooms Mar-Apr.
What plant family does Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum belong to?
Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
Is Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum rare or endangered?
Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum grow in?
Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum grows in Chaparral, desert scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Delphinium parryi subsp. purpureum — Mount pinos larkspur
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.