Stems (34-)50-80(-120) cm, base simple-puberulent. Leaves nearly all basal, often present but dried at anthesis, rarely on herbarium specimens; cauline leaves usually fewer than 3, abruptly smaller than basal leaves. Inflorescences 1-8 flowers per 5 cm, open. Flowers: sepals bright blue to white, lateral sepals 7-13 mm, spurs 8-16 mm. 2 n = 16.

Flowering spring. Open oak woods, s Sierra chaparral; 800-1900 m; Calif.

Delphinium hansenii subsp. kernense hybridizes with D . gypsophilum , D . parishii , and D . purpusii .