Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Aquilegia formosa Fisch. ex DC.
Western columbine, Crimson columbine, Scarlet columbine, Red columbine
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
An open-branched, 2-3 ft.
perennial with delicate, blue-green, lobed foliage and pendent, yellow and red, spurred flowers. Handsome red and yellow flowers hang at ends of branches above this bushy plant with several stems and many divided leaves. The flowers of this species are slightly smaller than those of
A. eximia.
The
genus name
Aquilegia comes from the Latin
aquila which means
eagle and refers to the spurred petals that many believe resemble an eagles talons. The species name
formosa, Latin for beautiful, aptly describes this large plant, especially when it has hundreds of lovely flowers nodding over it. There are other species with mostly red flowers, which also attract hummingbirds as pollinators. The
nectar was eaten as a candy by the Gitxsan and Wetsuweten peoples.
Image Gallery:
11 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Herb Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit: Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB ,
BC ,
YT Native Distribution: N. Baja CA to UT, n. to s. AK & w. Alt.
Native Habitat: Moist, open woods, banks & seeps; 4000-9000 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Moist, rocky soils, but will grow in dry, nutrient poor soil.
Conditions Comments: This columbine readily maintains itself from seed.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Columbine attracts hummingbirds.
Use Food: The
nectar was eaten as a candy by the Gitxsan and Wetsuweten peoples. The young leaves of variety
truncata were gathered before flowering, boiled, and eaten as greens by indigenous peoples of California.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
2013-04-04
