Bloomipedia
Upland larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum)
Photo: Dominic McLean via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Upland larkspur

Delphinium nuttallianum

Upland larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum) is a flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–June across the U.S.

Native in the lower 48

Upland larkspur is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–June.

13states where USDA records it
2Bloomipedia state lists include it
5,275U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Colorado, Idaho

Quick look

Delphinium nuttallianum is a species of larkspur known by the common names two-lobe larkspur, upland larkspur, common larkspur, and Nuttall's larkspur. It is widely distributed across western North America from California to Alberta, including mountain meadows and the majority of the sagebrush steppe, except very dry areas.

  • It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 13 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Colorado and Idaho. NatureServe
  • In Colorado, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 2,288 research-grade sightings of it in Colorado, ranking #68 among the 160 flowers on our Colorado list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 432 research-grade sightings of it in Idaho, ranking #92 among the 143 flowers on our Idaho list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,209 records)
Bloom time in the 2 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
ColoradoNativeMay–July2,288
IdahoNativefew records (41)432

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Colorado
No list Colorado has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Colorado ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Colorado.
Idaho
No list Idaho has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Idaho ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Idaho.
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: NE (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Larkspur” (Delphinium species), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Unless there is a lack of suitable forage, horses typically do not consume toxic amounts of larkspur. The toxicity of the plant may vary depending on seasonal changes and field conditions; as the… ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records upland larkspur in 13 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

Colorado counties with USDA records: Archuleta, Boulder, Delta, Dolores, Douglas, Eagle, El Paso, Elbert, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Gunnison, Jackson, Jefferson, La Plata, Larimer, Mesa, Mineral, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Pueblo, Rio Blanco, Routt, San Juan, San Miguel, Summit.

Idaho counties with USDA records: Ada, Adams, Bannock, Bear Lake, Benewah, Blaine, Boise, Bonner, Bonneville, Boundary, Butte, Camas, Canyon, Caribou, Cassia, Clark, Clearwater, Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Fremont, Gem, Gooding, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Lincoln, Nez Perce, Oneida, Owyhee, Shoshone, Twin Falls, Valley, Washington.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Delphinium nelsonii, Delphinium sonnei.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 227 counties across 13 states; the most are in Idaho (36), Utah (29), Washington (29).

Other Delphinium on Bloomipedia (4): Dwarf larkspur, Columbian larkspur, Desert larkspur, Low larkspur.

More from the Ranunculaceae family (48 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Lesser celandine, Rue anemone, Red columbine, Wood anemone, Western columbine, Marsh marigold, White baneberry, Round-lobed hepatica.

More Colorado flowers

Blue columbine (Aquilegia coerulea)

Blue columbine

Aquilegia coerulea

★ CO state flowerNative

🌼 Blooms in CO: June–August
Prairie pasqueflower (Pulsatilla nuttalliana)

Prairie pasqueflower

Pulsatilla nuttalliana

★ SD state floral emblemNative

🌼 Blooms in CO: April–June
Rocky mountain marsh-marigold (Caltha chionophila)

Rocky mountain marsh-marigold

Caltha chionophila

Native

🌼 Blooms in CO: May–July

Sources