Delphinium patens subsp. montanum
Photo: parent species Delphinium patens · (c) Justin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Delphinium patens subsp. montanum is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by high elevation conifer habitat with deeply divided leaves and hairy pedicels.
Mountain larkspur is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada, southern South Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in open conifer forest on drier, eastern mountain slopes at elevations of 1,500 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces blue to purple flowers with delicate, intricate sepals and a distinctive spur 8 to 14 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 30 to 70 centimeters tall, it develops stems with finely divided leaves segmented into 5 to 10 narrow lobes. Its cauline leaves are extensively divided, with each lobe less than 10 millimeters wide, creating a delicate, lacy appearance. The flower's lower petal blades measure 3 to 6 millimeters, nestled among glandular, softly puberulent pedicels.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 29 sympatric species; high elevation conifer habitat with deeply divided leaves and hairy pedicels
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open conifer forest, drier, eastern sides of mountain ranges
Elevation: 1500-2800 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, Ventura, San Diego, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Tulare, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Fresno
Bloom period
Delphinium patens subsp. montanum 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. montanum native to California?
Yes. Delphinium patens subsp. montanum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Delphinium patens subsp. montanum bloom?
Delphinium patens subsp. montanum blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Delphinium patens subsp. montanum grow?
Delphinium patens subsp. montanum occurs in Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, Ventura, San Diego, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Tulare and other counties, at elevations of 1500-2800 m.
What plant family does Delphinium patens subsp. montanum belong to?
Delphinium patens subsp. montanum is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
What habitat does Delphinium patens subsp. montanum grow in?
Delphinium patens subsp. montanum grows in Open conifer forest, drier, eastern sides of mountain ranges.
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.