Practical
Plants

Aquilegia canadensis

Wild 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
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, 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. Sweet and delightful[4]. Rich in nectar[10], they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can also be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden[K]. Root[7][2][5]. These reports possibly refer to the root being chewed for its medicinal virtues[K]. Caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity[4].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Root

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[4][11]. The root is astringent and diuretic[11][13]. It is chewed or made into a weak tea for the treatment of diarrhoea and stomach aches[11]. The tea is used in the treatment of uterine bleeding[11]. The boiled plant was used as a hair wash[10]. The seed is anodyne and febrifuge[13]. An infusion is used in the treatment of headaches and fevers[13].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
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 rubbed into the scalp to rid the hair of lice[4][11]. The crushed seed is pleasantly aromatic and is used as a perfume. The fragrance persists for a long time[9].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Parasiticide

Environment

Range
N. America - Nova Scotia to the Northwest Territories and south to Nebraska, Texas and Florida.
Habitat
Rocky, wooded or open slopes and sometimes in swamps[14].
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[8]. 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[8].

Cultivation

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

An easily grown and very tolerant plant[K], it succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sunny position[1]. Intolerant of heavy clay[8]. Does well in semi-shade[3]. Prefers a rather poor slightly acid soil[3]. A very ornamental and cold-hardy plant, it tolerates temperatures down to about -25°c[1][6]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[12]. A greedy plant inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[15]. Plants are pollinated by humming birds in the wild[6]. Most species in this genus are short-lived, dying out after 2 - 3 years, though they usually produce seed prolifically[8]. 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[8].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  7. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩

  10. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2

  11. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

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

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