Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis, Sp. Pl.: 533 (1753))

Family: Ranunculaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 533 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Aquilegia

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & E. Canada to NE. Mexico

Description

Wild columbine, known scientifically as Aquilegia canadensis, is a striking member of the Ranunculaceae family. This plant is primarily found in a vast range encompassing central and eastern Canada down to northeastern Mexico. It was first formally described in 1753 and has since captivated botanists and gardeners alike with its unique appearance and adaptability.

Aquilegia canadensis thrives in a variety of habitats, making it a versatile addition to any garden or natural landscape. It prefers rocky woods, slopes, and open areas, where it can receive partial sunlight and well-drained soils. Its adaptability to different environments speaks volumes of its resilience and makes it an attractive choice for those looking to introduce native flora into their gardens.

The plant is well-known for its distinctive, nodding flowers, which typically bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers showcase hues of red and yellow, with prominent spurs that are a hallmark of the columbine genus. These flowers not only add visual interest to natural areas and gardens but also serve as a crucial nectar source for pollinators, particularly hummingbirds and various bee species.

Beyond its beauty and ecological benefits, wild columbine holds a modest place in cultural history. Native American tribes have utilized parts of the plant for various medicinal purposes, although such use should be approached with caution due to the toxic properties of the Ranunculaceae family.

For the avid gardener or botanist, Aquilegia canadensis offers a glimpse into the intricate connections between plants and their environments. Whether observed in the wild or cultivated in a garden, the wild columbine remains a testament to the enduring elegance of native North American flora.

Common Names

Eng: honeysuckle, meeting-houses, red columbine, red-bell, wild columbine, american columbine, canada columbine, canadian columbine, colorado columbine, common columbine, rock-bells, wild red columbine
Swe: scharlakansakleja
Fra: ancolie du canada, gants de notre-dame
En: Wild columbine, Meeting-houses, Honeysuckle, Red-bell, Slender Canadian columbine, Red columbine, AMERICAN COLUMBINE, Canada columbine, Canadian columbine, Colorado columbine, Common columbine, Rock-bells, Wild red columbine
Ar: أنقولية كندية
Az: Kanada akvilegiyası
Zh: Shan yang qi, 加拿大耬斗菜
Fi: Kanadanakileija
Fr: Ancolie du Canada, Gants de Notre-Dame
He: אקווילגיה קנדית
Fa: تاج الملوک کانادایی
Pl: Orlik kanadyjski
Sv: Scharlakansakleja
Zh-hant: 加拿大耬鬥菜

Synonyms

• Aquilegia canadensis var. phippenii (J.Rob.)
• Aquilegia variegata (Moench)
• Aquilegia canadensis var. vera (Brühl)
• Aquilegia canadensis var. flaviflora ((Tenney) Britton)
• Aquilegia canadensis var. violacea (Nutt.)
• Aquilegia canadensis var. hybrida (Hook.)
• Aquilegia flaviflora (Tenney)
• Aquilegia eminens (Greene)
• Aquilegia canadensis f. phippenii ((J.Rob.) Ralph Hoffm.)
• Aquilegia canadensis f. ecalcarata (Livingston)
• Aquilegia canadensis var. latiuscula ((Greene) Munz)
• Aquilegia canadensis f. gartneri (Rapaics)
• Aquilegia canadensis var. coccinea ((Small) Munz)
• Aquilegia canadensis var. longistyla (Regel)
• Aquilegia canadensis var. australis ((Small) Munz)
• Aquilegia phoenicantha (Cory)
• Aquilegia canadensis subsp. americana (Rapaics)
• Aquilegia canadensis f. albiflora (House)
• Aquilegia coccinea (Small)
• Aquilegia canadensis f. flaviflora ((Tenney) Britton)
• Aquilegia elegans (Salisb.)
• Aquilegia latiuscula (Greene)
• Aquilegia australis (Small)
• Aquilegia canadensis var. eminens ((Greene) B.Boivin)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jun 12, 2021 by Eriika B (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2019 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2020 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2019 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2018 by risley (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 30, 2022 by Matthew Ward (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2021 by Mayfield Ellis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2021 by georgjna bale (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2022 by Lairy (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 30, 2021 by Victoria Cutter (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Adele Kush (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2022 by Sara Z (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 16, 2022 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Андрей Кураков (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2021 by Egon Krogsgaard (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2022 by tufty_jam_bean (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2019 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 29, 2022 by Eduard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2022 by tufty_jam_bean (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2003 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 12, 2022 by tufty_jam_bean (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 21, 2020 by Wizard Plant (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2020 by SIGRID SIGRID L. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2022 by tufty_jam_bean (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2020 by caitlin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2019 by riesplants (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3033197)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30028287-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Aquilegia canadensis L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth