Leaves: basal leaves usually absent at anthesis; basal and proximal cauline leaves usually cleft more than 4/5 radius of blade. Leaf blade: ultimate lobes 5-10, width less than 10 mm. Inflorescences: pedicel generally glandular-puberulent. Flowers: lateral sepals 7-11 mm, spurs 8-14 mm; lower petal blades 3-6 mm; hairs symmetrically distributed. Flowering late spring-early summer. Open coniferous forest; 1500-2800 m; Calif. Delphinium patens subsp. montanum is usually found on drier, leeward sides of mountain ranges; subsp. hepaticoideum is found on wetter, windward sides of many of the same mountain ranges. Delphinium patens subsp. montanum is likely to be confused with D . gracilentum or D . nuttallianum ; see discussion under those species for distinguishing features.

Hybrids with D . umbraculorum are known.