Practical
Plants

Aquilegia caerulea

Rocky Mountain Columbine

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, it belongs to a family that contains a number of mildly toxic species. It is therefore wise to exercise some caution. The flowers are probably perfectly safe to eat.

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Flowers - raw. Rich in nectar, they have a sweet taste[2], they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can also be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden[K].

Plant part
Flowers

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Antispasmodic, diaphoretic, parasiticide, resolvent, salve[2]. The seed was chewed, or an infusion of the root was used, to treat abdominal pains and general sickness[6].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Parasiticide
Product or use
Resolvent
Product or use
Salve

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed is used as a parasiticide to rid the hair of lice[2].

Product or use
Parasiticide

Environment

Range
Western N. America - Montana to Arizona and New Mexico.
Habitat
A wide range of habitats, especially in aspen groves[3], in the upper levels of the Rockies[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be slow to germinate[4]. 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[4].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sheltered sunny position[1]. It also succeeds in partial shade[3]. Intolerant of heavy clay soils[4]. A very ornamental plant, it is the state flower of Colorado[3]. Most species are short-lived, dying out after 2 - 3 years, though they usually produce seed prolifically[4]. However, they are very apt to hybridize with other members of the genus and so it becomes difficult to keep a species true to type if more than one is grown in the garden[4]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[5]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  6. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

  7. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩

  8. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩

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