Delphinium parishii

Stems (17-)30-60(-100) cm; base reddish or not, glabrous to puberulent. Leaves scattered or mostly on proximal 1/3 of stem; basal leaves 0-11 at anthesis; cauline leaves 3-7 at anthesis; petiole 1-13 cm. Leaf blade pentagonal, 0.7-5 × 1-8 cm, glabrous to puberulent; ultimate lobes 3-18, width 2-18 mm (basal), 0.5-8 mm (cauline). Inflorescences (6-)10-40(-74)-flowered, cylindric; pedicel ascending-spreading, (0.3-)1-2.5(-4.8) cm, glabrous to puberulent; bracteoles 2-5(-10) mm from flowers, green, lance-linear, 2-6(-16) mm, glabrous to puberulent. Flowers: sepals dark blue to white to pink, often puberulent, lateral sepals reflexed or spreading, (7-)9-13 × 2-7 mm, spurs ± decurved, ascending 20-45° above horizontal, 7-15 mm; lower petal blades ± elevated, exposing stamens, blue or white to pink (concolorous with sepals), 3-6 mm, clefts 1-3 mm; hairs mostly near base of cleft, centered or on inner lobes, white. Fruits 9-21 mm, 2-4 times longer than wide, glabrous to puberulent. Seeds: seed coat cells ± brick-shaped, cell margins undulate, surfaces roughened.

Distribution

sw United States, nw Mexico.

Discussion

Subspecies 3 (3 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Delphinium parishii subsp. pallidum, Delphinium parishii subsp. parishii, Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum

Key

1	Lateral sepals reflexed; sepals bright, ± sky blue.	Delphinium parishii subsp. parishii
1	Lateral sepals not reflexed; sepals dark blue or white to pink.	> 2
2	Sepals dark blue; flowers rarely present after 20 May.	Delphinium parishii subsp. subglobosum
2	Sepals white, pinkish, or purplish; flowers rarely present before 20 May.	Delphinium parishii subsp. pallidum