Stems (27-)40-60(-95) cm. Leaves primarily on proximal 1/3 of stem; ultimate lobes 3-7, abruptly smaller with narrower lobes on distal portion of stem. Inflorescences: pedicel usually less than 15 mm, 4-17 mm apart. Flowers: sepals white to pink or blue, spreading to erect, lateral sepals 6-11 × 2-4 mm, spurs 7-13 mm; lower petal blades 3-4 mm. Fruits 11-14 mm. 2 n = 16.

Flowering spring-early summer. Artemisia scrub, open pine woods, chaparral; 900-1900 m; Calif.

Nowhere common, Delphinium parishii subsp. pallidum may be in danger of significant population reductions because of human encroachment.

Delphinium parishii subsp. pallidum hybridizes with D . parryi subsp. purpureum . It is frequently confused with D . inopinum . Most of the data attributed to D . inopinum in the paper by H. Lewis and C. Epling (1954) pertain to D . parishii subsp. pallidum . Refer to discussion under D . inopinum for features used to distinguish these two taxa. Plants of D . parishii subsp. pallidum might be confused with D . gypsophilum subsp. parviflorum . Distinguishing characteristics are found in discussion of that taxon.