Delphinium hesperium subsp. hesperium

Stems glabrous to simple-puberulent, long hairs rare. Inflorescences usually fewer than 30-flowered, open; pedicel ascending. Flowers: sepals dark blue-purple, spreading, lateral sepals 8-16 mm, more than 4 mm wide, spurs 9-16 mm; lower petal blades 5-8 mm. Fruits 3.5-4.2 times longer than wide. 2 n = 16.

Flowering mid-late spring. Open oak woods, grasslands, openings in coastal chaparral; 10-1100 m; Calif.

Populations of Delphinium hesperium subsp. hesperium are found only on western slopes of the Coast Ranges. Hybrids with D . parryi and D . variegatum are known.

Although Delphinium hesperium subsp. hesperium has been confused with D . parryi , it may be recognized by its usually darker blue sepals, absence of arched hairs on proximal portion of stems, and pronounced venation abaxially on leaves. Delphinium parryi has brighter blue sepals, arched hairs present on proximal portion of stems, and leaves not prominently veined abaxially.