Taxon Report

Delphinium variegatum T. & G. ssp. thornei Munz

Thorne's royal larkspur

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Taxon Summary

Delphinium variegatum ssp. thornei, commonly known as Thorne's royal larkspur, is a perennial herb in the Ranunculaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Cismontane woodland, and Valley and foothill grassland (coastal), growing at elevations from 250 to 575 meters. Delphinium variegatum ssp. thornei is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Delphinium variegatum T. & G. ssp. thornei Munz
Common Name:
Thorne's royal larkspur
Family: Ranunculaceae
Element Code: PDRAN0B1X2
USDA Plants Symbol: DEVAT
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: (Mar)Apr-May (Mar)Apr-May
Elevation: 250-575 (820-1885)
General Habitats: Cismontane woodland, Valley and foothill grassland
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 15
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 15
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
San Clemente Island Central (3211874), San Clemente Island South (3211873)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 1
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
1 7 %
Erosion/runoff 1 6%

Notes

Known from fewer than ten occurrences. Feral herbivores removed from SCM Isl., and vegetation recovering. May be difficult to distinguish from ssp. kinkiense; see MadroƱo 47(2):116-126 (2000) for discussion.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 5 February 2025].