Delphinium Species Two

Delphinium species o-z are found on this wiki page


Delphinium species a-n


Delphinium parryi A.Gray is a coastal Southern California species that is also found in Baja California. It is found in chaparral and open woodlands, grows from a deep, woody rootstock, and has a tall stalk with beautiful large blue flowers and divided leaves. The first two photos are of plants grown from seed. The next pictures show it growing in the wild in grassland along Jolon Road in Monterey County and near Figueroa Mountain, Santa Barbara County, and a closer version requiring a scramble up the side of a cliff where it was growing in chaparral. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner.

Delphinium parryi, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium parryi leaves, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium parryi, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium parryi, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium parryi, Mary Sue Ittner

Delphinium patens Benth. is a species with tuberous roots and dark purple flowers found in grassy areas in the coastal mountains of California. The spur points upward. The first two photos below were taken by Nhu Nguyen. The last photo of the tuberous roots shown on a 1 cm grid was taken by Mary Sue Ittner.

Delphinium patens, Nhu NguyenDelphinium patens, Nhu NguyenDelphinium patens tuber, Mary Sue Ittner

Delphinium patens subsp. hepaticoideum Ewan seen on Figueroa Mountain, Santa Barbara county in April 2005 growing along the road. Photo by Mary Sue Ittner.

Delphinium patens ssp hepaticoideum, Mary Sue Ittner

Delphinium patens subsp. patens is found in grassland and open woodlands. Photo 1 was taken by Bob Rutemoeller and photo 2 was taken by Mary Sue Ittner. These plants were grown from Northwest Native seeds NNS 98-190. Plants from seeds flower in 1-2 years. Photos 3-5 were taken by Nhu Nguyen of plants in habitat from Henry Coe State Park, CA.

Delphinium patens ssp. patens, Bob RutemoellerDelphinium patens ssp. patens, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium patens ssp. patens, Nhu NguyenDelphinium patens ssp. patens, Nhu NguyenDelphinium patens ssp. patens, Nhu Nguyen

Delphinium purpusii Brandegee is found on dry rocky slopes in chaparral and foothill woodland in Kern County, California. It blooms from April to May. Growing from a deep-seated woody-fibrous rootstock, it has rose pink flowers. Plants photographed by Mary Sue Ittner were blooming April 2005 in the wild on a rocky slope in Kern County.

Delphinium purpusii leaves, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium purpusii flowers, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium purpusii close-up, Mary Sue Ittner

Delphinium recurvatum Greene grows in grassland, shrubby places, and foothill woodland in the inland counties of the Bay Area, the central valley, and the south Coast ranges of California. It is light blue with reflexed sepals and white upper petals. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner of plants grown from Northwest Native seeds.

Delphinium recurvatum, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium recurvatum, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium recurvatum, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium recurvatum leaf, Mary Sue Ittner

Delphinium spp. are unidentified species. The first was grown from NARGS seed identified as Delphinium menziesii but it is not this species. I have been unable to identify what it is, but it has gorgeous blue flowers, is briefly deciduous late summer, early fall, and blooms in summer. Photos below by Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller show the leaves, flowers, and the geophytic nature of this unidentified species (on a 1 cm square grid). It has been suggested that this plant could be Delphinium chinense which is usually grown as an annual. Mine did not die over many years, but were best the first year and eventually did not reappear.

Delphinium sp., Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium sp., Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium sp., Mary Sue Ittner

The second was grown from seeds of plants growing along the Oregon coast. I've not been able to confirm which species it is. It looks a little like photos on iNaturalist of Delphinium trolliifolium, but the leaves are different and that is a taller plant. It has really shiny leaves and lovely blue flowers. It breaks dormancy in November-December and is in flower from March to May. I occasionally give it water in summer when it is dormant and moved to the shade. Photos from Mary Sue Ittner including the roots in a photo taken in September on a 1 cm grid.

Delphinium sp., from Oregon coast, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium sp., from Oregon coast, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium sp., from Oregon coast, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium sp., from Oregon coast, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium sp. roots, from Oregon coast, Mary Sue Ittner

Delphinium tricorne Michx., widespread in eastern North America, is a typical spring ephemeral. It grows from a cluster of tuberous roots and thus qualifies as a geophyte. In rich soil the plants may be as much as three feet high, but usually they are seen as smaller plants about a foot high. They bloom in early-mid May, and the flower color ranges from rich purple-blue to dirty whites. Oddly, this is not a common garden plant. Photos by Jim McKenney and John Lonsdale.

Delphinium tricorne, Jim McKenneyDelphinium tricorne, John LonsdaleDelphinium tricorne, John LonsdaleDelphinium tricorne, John LonsdaleDelphinium tricorne, John Lonsdale

Delphinium variegatum Torr. & A.Gray has royal blue and white flowers and grows from clustered thick roots and leaves that are divided and forked at regular intervals. It is found in grassland and open woodland in California's coastal ranges and foothills. It blooms in early summer. The first photos from Mary Sue Ittner are of garden plants. The last two were taken in Bear Valley, Colusa County, California where this species was growing in the grass, under trees, and with wildflowers (Owl's clover).

Delphinium variegatum, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium variegatum, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium variegatum leaf, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium variegatum, Mary Sue IttnerDelphinium variegatum, Mary Sue Ittner

Delphinium index -- Delphinium species a-n


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