Practical
Plants

Aquilegia karelinii

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.75 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 are sweet and delightful[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

Material uses

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

The seed is used to rid the hair of lice[2]. Sap from flowers, slightly diluted with water, is used as an ink[6].

Product or use
Ink
Product or use
Parasiticide

Environment

Range
C. Asia.
Habitat
Damp ravines and on mountain slopes usually covered with spruce, juniper and broad-leaved trees, meadows with tall vegetation in the forest and alpine zones, 900 - 3600 metres[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
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[3]. 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[3].

Cultivation

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

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sunny position[1]. Intolerant of heavy clay[3]. Most species are short-lived, dying out after 2 - 3 years, though they usually produce seed prolifically[3]. 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[3]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[4]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[5].

References

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

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

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

    ↩

  6. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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