Delphinium patens subsp. hepaticoideum
Photo: parent species Delphinium patens · (c) Justin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Delphinium patens subsp. hepaticoideum is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by riparian habitat and broad, shallowly divided leaves.
Delphinium patens subsp. hepaticoideum is a native perennial found in southern Coast Ranges and southwestern California in riparian woodland at elevations of 300 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces blue to purple flowers with distinctive lower petal blades 5 to 8 millimeters long. Growing 25 to 80 centimeters tall with erect stems, it develops robust foliage with deeply divided leaves. Its basal and lower cauline leaves feature 3 to 5 lobes, with lower leaf lobes typically wider than 15 millimeters. The plant's lateral sepals measure 11 to 17 millimeters long, with a curved spur 10 to 18 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; riparian habitat and broad, shallowly divided leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Riparian woodland
Elevation: 300-1300 m
Bloom period
Delphinium patens subsp. hepaticoideum blooms Apr-Jun.
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 subsp. hepaticoideum native to California?
Yes. Delphinium patens subsp. hepaticoideum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Delphinium patens subsp. hepaticoideum bloom?
Delphinium patens subsp. hepaticoideum blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Delphinium patens subsp. hepaticoideum belong to?
Delphinium patens subsp. hepaticoideum is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
What habitat does Delphinium patens subsp. hepaticoideum grow in?
Delphinium patens subsp. hepaticoideum grows in Riparian woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.