Delphinium gypsophilum
Endemic central California perennial herb in the Ranunculaceae with 0.5–1 m tall pale whitish-green stems and pale chalk-white cylindrical inflorescences of up to 30 flowers on short pedicels, spurs 1–1.5 cm long, occurring in Cismontane woodland and valley/foothill grasslands at 190–350 meters, and moderately threatened by grazing and possibly road widening.
Common Names
Gypsum-Loving Larkspur, Pinoche Creek Larkspur, Small-Flowered Gypsum-Loving Larkspur
Summary
Gypsum-loving larkspur is a California-endemic perennial herb reaching 0.5–1 m in height, with a pale whitish-green stem and cylindrical inflorescences bearing up to 30 flowers on short pedicels; flowers are chalk-white, sometimes pink or light blue, with a spur 1–1.5 cm long, native to central California woodlands and grasslands.
In cultivation it prefers full sun to partial shade and dry to light watering, thrives in clay or rocky soils, is drought-tolerant, and occurs in Foothill Woodland and Valley Grassland communities; it attracts hummingbirds and bees.
Lifecycle
Annual and Perennial
Height
1.5–3 feet
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun or partial shade.
Soil Type
Gypsum-rich soil
Bloom Color
White to pale blue with occasional pink
Bloom Time
Spring to Summer
Growth Rate
Not specified
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Ewan
- Publication
- Univ. Colorado Stud., Ser. D, Phys. Sci. 2: 189 (1945)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Ranunculales
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus
- Delphinium