Columbine - aquilegia formosa

Appearance

• The columbine has bright yellow or red flowers
• It has 5 petals and 5 sepals
• Has compound leaves with 9 round-lobed leaflets
• Leaves are generally basal

Habitat

• Prefers to grow in lower elevation clearings and partly shaded sites
• Sometimes found in lush, sub-alpine meadows
• Very common from lowlands to timberline

Growth Habit

• grows 15-90 centimeters (6-36 inches)
• flowers bloom May-August

Natural History

• Hummingbirds thrive on columbine nectar
• Aboriginals used it for dizziness, and aching joints
• An old name is culverwort which means pigeon plant
• Species name is Latin for beautiful