Delphinium parryi
Bot. Gaz. 12: 53. 1887.
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.
Distribution
North America (Calif.)
Discussion
Subspecies 5 (5 in the flora).
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).
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
Key
| 1 | Basal leaves usually absent at anthesis. | > 2 |
| 1 | Basal leaves usually present at anthesis. | > 3 |
| 2 | Lateral sepals 16–25 mm. | Delphinium parryi subsp. blochmaniae |
| 2 | Lateral sepals 9–15 mm. | Delphinium parryi subsp. parryi |
| 3 | Lateral sepals 7–11 mm; above 700 m elevation. | Delphinium parryi subsp. purpureum |
| 3 | Lateral sepals (9–)12–20 mm; below 700 m elevation. | > 4 |
| 4 | Sepals usually reflexed. | Delphinium parryi subsp. eastwoodiae |
| 4 | Sepals usually spreading. | Delphinium parryi subsp. maritimum |