Leaf of the upland larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum) at right

Upland larkspur is an attractive perennial wildflower which usually is seen with one stem covered with variable herbage (varying from smooth surfaced to glandular or covered with soft, spreading hairs). The stem is not hollow and it varies in height from 15-40 cm. The leaves are mostly basal or found low on the stems. The petioles are longer than the diameter of the blades and individual leaf blades are 2-4 times parted or lobed into linear or oblong-lanceolate segments from 1.5-5 mm wide. The blades of the basal leaves measure from 2-6 cm wide. The upper leaves are smaller and have fewer leaf segments.

The inflorescence is a simple to compound raceme of 3-15 flowers. The pedicels of the lower flowers are usually several times longer than the flowers and they are spreading-ascending. The sepals vary from whitish to pale gray-blue and the more usual deep bluish-purple. The lowest 2 sepals range from 17-25 mm long while the lateral pair of sepals are the widest. The spur measures from 13-20 mm long. The lower petals are nearly white and faintly to deeply purplish lined, or they may be yellowish or brownish with a purplish tinge. The blade of the lower petal measures from 3-4 mm long and is deeply notched. The upper petals are bluish-tinged.

Upland larkspur may be found on well drained, gravelly soils in dry grasslands, among sagebrush, and in open ponderosa pine forests.

Upland larkspur is found from southwest British Columbia south along the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mts. to northern California, and eastward to Alberta, and south to Arizona. It is one of the more common larkspurs across the inland Pacific Northwest.

In the Columbia River Gorge it may be found between the elevations of 100'-4200' from Stevenson,WA east to Biggs, OR.