Practical
Plants

Aquilegia pubescens

Columbine

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.45 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

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].

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
South-western N. America - the southern Sierra Nevada of California.
Habitat
Open rocky places and talus in the alpine and sub-alpine zones at elevations of 2700 - 4000 metres in California[7][5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
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.

Prefers a well-drained friable sandy loam with leaf mold[8]. Intolerant of heavy clay[9].

Most species of Aquilegia are short-lived, dying out after 2 - 3 years, though they usually produce seed prolifically[9]. 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[9]. This species is endemic to the southern Sierra Nevada., it sometimes forms extensive hybrid swarms with A. formosa pauciflora in the wild[13][11]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[10].

A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[12].

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

    ↩1↩2

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

  5. Flora of N. America http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/

    ↩

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

  7. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  11. [Flora of N. America] ()

    ↩

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

    ↩

  13. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press (1959-00-00)

    ↩

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