San Bernardino Larkspur

A number of local phases are found in Delphinium parryi . Five of these appear consistently distinct and are recognized here. Other phases may be locally distinct but grade into other nearby phases. Delphinium parryi hybridizes with D . cardinale ( D . × inflexum Davidson).

The Kawaiisu used the ground root of Delphinium parryi medicinally as a salve for swollen limbs (D. E. Moerman 1986, no subspecies specified).

Stems (10-)40-80(-110) cm; base reddish, puberulent. Leaves variably distributed; green leaves usually absent on proximal 1/5 of stem at anthesis; basal leaves 0-9 at anthesis; cauline leaves 2-7 at anthesis; petiole 1-13 cm. Leaf blade pentagonal, 1-7 × 2-10 cm, ± puberulent; ultimate lobes 3-27, width 1-20 mm (basal), 0.5-5 mm (cauline). Inflorescences (2-)8-24(-48)-flowered, cylindric; pedicel ± spreading, (0.5-)1-3(-6.8) cm, usually puberulent; bracteoles 2-7(-16) mm from flowers, green to blue, lance-linear, 2-6(-10) mm, puberulent. Flowers: sepals dark blue to bluish purple, puberulent, lateral sepals spreading or reflexed, (7-)10-20(-25) × 4-9 mm, spurs straight, ascending 0-30° above horizontal, 9-17(-21) mm; lower petal blades slightly elevated, ± exposing stamens, 3-10 mm, clefts 2-6 mm; hairs mostly near base of cleft, centered or on inner lobes, white. Fruits 10-19 mm, 2.8-4 times longer than wide, puberulent or glabrous. Seeds: seed coat cells ± brick-shaped, cell margins undulate, surfaces ± roughened.

Delphinium parryi is a species of larkspur known by the common names San Bernardino larkspur and Parry's larkspur. This wildflower is native to Baja California and California from the San Francisco Bay Area south. It is found in chaparral and woodlands and other habitats.