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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Delphinium californicum

Delphinium californicum Torr. & A. Gray

California Larkspur, California Coast Larkspur

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: DECA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Stout, leafy, unbranched stems rise 2-7 ft. from a woody root system. Leaves are palmately divided 5-7 times, the division being lobed and toothed. Flower spikes are dense, up to 20 in. long, and sometimes branched in the lower portions. The showy sepals are whitish, tinged with green or lavender. The pea-like flowers are bluish-purple.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 7 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: Outer Coast Ranges from San Francisco to Monterey Cos.
Native Habitat: Moist, partly shaded ravines & slopes below 2000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, well drained soil.
Conditions Comments: Needs protection from snails and slugs.

Propagation

Description: Sow seed.
Seed Treatment: No pretreatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FACU FACU
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Delphinium californicum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Delphinium californicum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Delphinium californicum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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