Flowers are on an open raceme with 5 dark blue sepals, one a stout spur; 4 petals, upper two white-cream with blue lines, the lower 2 whitish with blue lines and some hairs. San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. © Peter J. Bryant

Blue Larkspur
(Liver-leaved Larkspur)

Delphinium patens, ssp. hepaticoideum

Occasional in open or shady grassy places along canyon bottoms and on slopes, chaparral and riparian woodlands in the Santa Ana Mountains (Roberts).  It blooms earlier than D. parryi.  It is a 8-16 in. erect, smooth slender stemmed branching herb, rising from a thicker tuberous root. Seedpods are not downy.  Leaves, mostly basal  are 3-parted with the center part 3-cleft, and lateral parts 2-cleft. 
 
The main distinction between D. patens and D. Parryi is whether or not the
stems and seed pods are hairy. 

Ranunculaceae

Back to Ranunculaceae of Orange County, California
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San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-11-10. © Joan Avise

San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-11-10. © Joan Avise

San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-10-11. © Joan Avise

San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 7-18-10. © Joan Avise

San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 4-12-09. © Joan Avise

San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 4-12-09. © Joan Avise