Delphinium uliginosum
Swamp larkspur
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Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Delphinium uliginosum (Swamp larkspur) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by very local North Coast Ranges distribution with distinctive fleshy fan-shaped leaves.
Swamp larkspur is a California native perennial found in southern North Coast Ranges in streambanks, chaparral, and grassland on serpentine at elevations of 400 to 600 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces blue to purple flowers with distinctive lateral sepals 9 to 14 millimeters long and a curving spur 10 to 14 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 8 to 70 centimeters tall that are nearly smooth and have a base narrower than the root, it maintains a firmly attached structure. Its basal leaves are somewhat fleshy and fan-shaped, typically divided less than halfway to the petiole with a tapered base. The fruit develops 10 to 18 millimeters long with bumpy, slightly winged seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; very local North Coast Ranges distribution with distinctive fleshy fan-shaped leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streambanks, chaparral, grassland, on serpentine
Elevation: 400-600 m
California counties: Butte, Lake, Napa, Colusa, Mendocino, Sonoma, Monterey
Bloom period
Delphinium uliginosum blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 uliginosum native to California?
Yes. Delphinium uliginosum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Delphinium uliginosum bloom?
Delphinium uliginosum blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Delphinium uliginosum grow?
Delphinium uliginosum occurs in Butte, Lake, Napa, Colusa, Mendocino, Sonoma, Monterey, at elevations of 400-600 m.
What plant family does Delphinium uliginosum belong to?
Delphinium uliginosum is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Delphinium.
Is Delphinium uliginosum rare or endangered?
Delphinium uliginosum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, 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.