A hillside near Oroville, covered with larkspurs. Photo by queerbychoice. Larkspurs are perennial forbs in the Delphinium genus of the buttercup family. Many of them are native to the Yuba-Sutter area (as are many buttercups).
Larkspurs are poisonous if eaten, so they should not be planted where pets or small children may eat them.
Red Larkspur
Red larkspur is a two-foot-tall red larkspur that is native to Sutter County and typically grows at elevations below 6,500 feet. It is most often found on slopes in central oak woodland or yellow pine forest.
You can read more about it at the Las Pilitas Nursery website. You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Foothill Larkspur
Foothill larkspur is a blue or occasionally white larkspur that is native to Sutter County and typically grows at elevations below 5,000 feet. It is most often found on slopes or ridges in central oak woodland or yellow pine forest. Botanist Amos Arthur Heller collected foothill larkspur on a steep, grassy hillside on West Butte Road just west of Braggs Canyon and the Sutter Buttes in 1941.1
You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
El Dorado Larkspur
El Dorado larkspur is a white or lavender larkspur that is native to Yuba and Sutter Counties and typically grows at elevations below 10,000 feet. It is found in central oak woodland or yellow pine forest. Botanist Amos Arthur Heller collected El Dorado larkspur on the Sutter Buttes in 1914.2, and botanist Alice Eastwood collected it near Los Verjeles Road in 1921.3
You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Zigzag Larkspur
Zigzag larkspur is a blue or purple larkspur that is native to Yuba and Sutter Counties and typically grows at elevations below 9,000 feet. It is most often found in canyons in central oak woodland or yellow pine forest. Botanist Willis Linn Jepson collected zigzag larkspur on the Sutter Buttes in 1891.4
You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Pine Forest Larkspur
Pine forest larkspur is a blue larkspur that is native to Yuba and Sutter Counties and typically grows at elevations below 10,000 feet. It is most often found in meadows in central oak woodland or yellow pine forest. Botanist Amos Arthur Heller collected pine forest larkspur on the Sutter Buttes in 1914.5
You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa.
Royal Larkspur
Royal larkspur (Delphinium variegatum) in Bear Valley. Photo by queerbychoice. Royal larkspur is a blue or purple larkspur that is native to Sutter County and typically grows at elevations below 2,500 feet. It is found in valley grassland. Botanist Willis Linn Jepson collected royal larkspur on the Sutter Buttes in 1891.6
You can see pictures of it at CalPhotos, Flickr, and Picasa. You can find out where to buy it at the California Native Plant Link Exchange.
Footnotes
1. Consortium of California Herbaria
2. Consortium of California Herbaria
3. Consortium of California Herbaria
4. Consortium of California Herbaria
5. Consortium of California Herbaria
6. Consortium of California Herbaria
