Delphinium nuttallii subsp. ochroleucum (Nutt.) M.J.Warnock

Stem Characteristics

Delphinium nuttallii subsp. ochroleucum has erect, divided stems covered in fine, upward-curving hairs.

Leaf Morphology

Its erect leaves measure 2 to 3 inches long and are divided nearly to their center; each of the leaf's three main lobes is further divided into even smaller lobes.

Inflorescence Structure

The plant produces a sticky, spike-shaped inflorescence that holds many individual flowers, each on a stalk 1 inch long or shorter.

Flower Morphology

Its flowers consist of five light to deep blue sepals, a long slender light blue spur, two upper pale blue notched petals, and two bright blue lateral petals.

Similar Species Distinction

This subspecies can be confused with Delphinium nuttallianum, which is also named for Thomas Nuttall, but D. nuttallianum is much shorter.

General Distribution

This taxon is distributed across multiple counties in Washington and Oregon, United States.

Washington Distribution

In southern Washington, it occurs in Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, Klickitat, and Benton counties; in central-western Washington it is found in Grays Harbor, Mason, Thurston, and Pierce counties.

Oregon Distribution

In Oregon, it is present in southern and eastern counties: Douglas, Josephine, Jackson, Klamath, Lake, Harney, Malheur, Crook, Grant, Umatilla, Union, and Wallowa; it also occurs in northwestern Oregon's Columbia, Multnomah, Clackamas, Yamhill, Hood River, and Wasco counties.