Delphinium purpusii
Rose-flowered larkspur, Rose-Flowered Larkspur
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Delphinium purpusii (Rose-flowered larkspur) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by unique pink flowers distinguish from all congeners.
Rose-flowered larkspur is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the southern Sierra Nevada and western edge of the Mojave Desert in talus and cliff habitats at elevations of 300 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces pink to deep rose-pink flowers with lateral sepals 10 to 16 millimeters long and a distinctive curved spur. Growing with stems 30 to 120 centimeters tall that are slightly puberulent and narrow at the base, it develops a root system branched toward the lower portion. Its leaves are distributed on the lower half of the stem, with deeply divided lobes 5 to 30 millimeters wide. The plant produces shiny, winged seeds with an inflated, nearly transparent seed coat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; unique pink flowers distinguish from all congeners
Habitat and range
Habitat: Talus, cliffs
Elevation: 300-1300 m
California counties: Kern, Tulare, Ventura
Bloom period
Delphinium purpusii blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 purpusii native to California?
Yes. Delphinium purpusii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Delphinium purpusii bloom?
Delphinium purpusii blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Delphinium purpusii grow?
Delphinium purpusii occurs in Kern, Tulare, Ventura, at elevations of 300-1300 m.
What plant family does Delphinium purpusii belong to?
Delphinium purpusii is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
Is Delphinium purpusii rare or endangered?
Delphinium purpusii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.