Delphinium Polycladon, Mountain Marsh Larkspur

Delphinium polycladon is found all along the Sierra Nevada, California, extending a short distance into Nevada. Plants usually produce two stems, rising to heights between 3 and 4 feet, and typically grow beside streams in mountain forests. Leaves are hairless, and usually restricted to the lower third of the stem. Stems are also hairless, and often purplish towards the base.

The inflorescence is an open cluster of up to 15 (sometimes more) well-spaced flowers, somewhat one-sided, attached by stout, ascending or spreading pedicels up to 2 inches long, glabrous or sparsely hairy, especially towards the apex. Pedicels are often shallowly S-shaped; curving up towards the base then down near the tip, and they are subtended by narrow, linear bracteoles. Sepals are pinkish-purple to blue, generally angled forwards rather than spreading. The petal spur is relatively short, up to 0.8 inches, slightly downturned, sparsely hairy, and wrinkled in appearance. The lower petals have a patch of white hairs towards the base. The dark-colored stamens are partially visible beneath the petals.