This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Aquilegia vulgaris
  • Columbine

a perennial member of the Aquilegia genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Aquilegia vulgaris has 0 edible uses listed
Aquilegia vulgaris has 0 material uses listed
Aquilegia vulgaris has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The plant is poisonous though the toxins are destroyed by heat or by drying[1][2]. Although this plant contains alkaloids, no cases of poisoning to humans or other mammals have been recorded[3].

Edible uses

Notes

Flowers - raw. Rich in nectar, they are sweet and delightful[4], they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can also be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden[K]. The flowers are also used as a tea substitute[5].

Flowers

Unknown use

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

The seed is used as a parasiticide to rid the hair of lice[4]. The dried and crushed seed is used to kill external body parasites[6].

Unknown part

Parasiticide

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Columbine was formerly employed in herbal medicine mainly for its antiscorbutic effect, but it has fallen out of favour and is little used nowadays[7].

The leaves root and seed are astringent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, parasiticide[8][1][9][2][10]. Because of its toxic properties, this plant should not be taken internally without expert advice, though the root is sometimes used externally in poultices to treat ulcers and the commoner skin diseases[1][7]. The plant can be harvested at any time from June to October[1]. Columbine has produced very unsatisfactory results and is not normally used medicinally[8].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[1]. It is used in the treatment of affections of the nervous system[1].

Unknown part

Astringent
Depurative
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Homeopathy
Parasiticide

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be slow to germinate[11]. Stored seed can be sown in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring[11].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Aquilegia vulgaris. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sunny position[12]. Thrives in partial shade[12][13]. Intolerant of heavy clay[11].

Plants are hardy to at least -25°c[14]. Whilst the blue-flowered forms of this species have no scent, white flowered forms have a soft clove scent in order to attract pollinating insects[15]. Most species are short-lived, dying out after 2 - 3 years, though they usually produce seed prolifically[11]. This species usually self-sows freely in the garden, it is very apt to hybridize with other members of the genus and usually becomes the dominant partner in any hybridization[11]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[16].

A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[17][18]. It also attracts red spider mites to the garden, these can then move on to other crops such as apples, pears and strawberries[18]. It grows well with rhubarb[18].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Aquilegia vulgaris. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Aquilegia vulgaris.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Aquilegia vulgaris
Genus
Aquilegia
Family
Ranunculaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[4][5]
Medicinal uses
[7][8][1][9][2][10]
Material uses & Functions
[4][6]
Botanic
[19][11]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x 0.5 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.6 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
    3. ? Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO ISBN 0112425291 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    5. ? 5.05.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden. ()
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. ISBN 0-85613-067-2 (1979-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    13. ? Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
    14. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    15. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    16. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    17. ? Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.2 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
    19. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-31" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

    "image:Aquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Aquilegia_vulgaris&oldid=75147"
    Facts about "Aquilegia vulgaris"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyRanunculaceae +
    Belongs to genusAquilegia +
    Has common nameColumbine +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFlowers + and Unknown part +
    Has edible useUnknown use + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeBee +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has imageAquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useParasiticide +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has mature width0.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAstringent +, Depurative +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Homeopathy + and Parasiticide +
    Has primary imageAquilegia vulgaris 100503b.jpg +
    Has search nameaquilegia vulgaris + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameAquilegia vulgaris +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +