Delphinium patens
Spreading or zigzag larkspur, Zigzag Larkspur
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Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Delphinium patens (Spreading or zigzag larkspur) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family.
Spreading larkspur is a California native perennial found in various bioregions in coastal scrub, chaparral, and woodland habitats. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces bright or dark blue flowers with reflexed sepals that stand out against its green foliage. Growing with stems 30 to 100 centimeters tall, it has a base narrower than its root system and develops leaves primarily on the lower third of the stem. Its leaves feature a terminal lobe that is widest near the middle, with a generally glabrous (smooth) surface. The fruit is slightly curved and measures 12 to 23 millimeters long, with smooth, shiny seeds featuring an inflated collar.
Habitat and range
California counties: Tulare, Napa, Monterey, Lake, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Colusa, Santa Clara, El Dorado, Fresno, Riverside, Shasta, Butte, San Benito, Sonoma, San Mateo, Marin, Plumas, Tehama, Sutter, Placer, Glenn, Alameda, Los Angeles, Solano, Stanislaus, Trinity, Yuba, Kern, Orange, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Ventura, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Sierra, Santa Cruz, Merced, Madera, Alpine, San Joaquin, Humboldt, Nevada, Yolo, Amador, Sacramento, San Francisco
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 patens native to California?
Yes. Delphinium patens is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Delphinium patens grow?
Delphinium patens occurs in Tulare, Napa, Monterey, Lake, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Colusa, Santa Clara and other counties.
What plant family does Delphinium patens belong to?
Delphinium patens is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
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.