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.

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).