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Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Aquilegia formosa Fisch. ex DC.
Western columbine, Crimson columbine, Scarlet columbine, Red columbine
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
Synonyms: Aquilegia formosa var. truncata
USDA Symbol: aqfo
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
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.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , YellowBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WA , WYCanada: 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: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
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
Propagation
Description: Easily propagated by seed. Seedlings around parent plant appear in summer and can be moved the following spring.Seed Collection: Seeds may ripen and be shed before the pod has turned brown. If seeds in greenish follicles are black, they are ready to collect. Cut the fruiting stalk and keep in a dry bag for a few days until the seeds shake free.
Seed Treatment: Seeds require no pretreatment.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Alternative names for Aquilegia Sanguinaria
May 03, 2006
I am looking for the common name for a flower called Aquilegia Sanguinaria. Can you help? Does this even exist?
view the full question and answer
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 928 - 100 easy-to-grow native plants for Canadian gardens (2005) Johnson, L.; A. LeyerleBibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
Bibref 1218 - Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources (2006) Anderson, M. Kat
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Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Aquilegia formosa in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Aquilegia formosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Aquilegia formosa
Metadata
Record Modified: 2013-04-04Research By: TWC Staff
