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 formosa
  • Western 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
  • 3
    Zone 3
    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 formosa has 0 edible uses listed
Aquilegia formosa has 0 material uses listed
Aquilegia formosa has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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

Notes

Flowers - raw. Rich in nectar, they are sweet and delightful[1][2], they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can also be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden[K]. Children enjoy sucking out the sweet nectar from the base of the flowers[3].

Early spring greens cooked and eaten as a vegetable[3]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Root - cooked. Used by the N. American Indians as a famine food[2]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Flowers

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

The seed is used to rid the hair of lice[1][3]. The whole plant is boiled up and used as a hair wash[2][3]. The seeds are aromatic. They can be crushed and rubbed on the body as a perfume or placed in a sachet and stored with clothes to impart a nice smell[3].

Unknown part

Hair care
Parasiticide

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Western columbine was quite frequently employed by a number of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[3]. It is little used in modern herbalism.

Antispasmodic, diaphoretic, parasiticide, resolvent, salve[1]. A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and stomach aches[3]. A decoction of the roots and leaves is used in the treatment of VD, dizziness and biliousness[3]. The mashed fresh roots can be rubbed briskly on aching rheumatic joints[3]. A poultice of chewed roots or leaves is applied to bee stings, sores etc[3]. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of sore throats, coughs and colds[3].

The seeds can be chewed as a remedy for stomach aches[3].

Unknown part

Antispasmodic
Diaphoretic
Parasiticide
Resolvent
Salve

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[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].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Aquilegia formosa. 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 sheltered sunny position[5] or partial shade[6]. Intolerant of heavy clay[4].

A very ornamental plant, it is hardy to about -15°c[6]. A short-lived species, often dying out after 2 - 3 years, though it usually produces seed prolifically[4][7]. 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]. This species is closely related to A. canadensis[4] and A. flavescens[8]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[7].

A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[9].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Aquilegia formosa. 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 formosa.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Aquilegia formosa
Genus
Aquilegia
Family
Ranunculaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3]
Medicinal uses
[3][1]
Material uses & Functions
[1][3][2]
Botanic
[8][4]
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
3
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
    0.75 x 0.45 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    3. ? 3.003.013.023.033.043.053.063.073.083.093.103.113.123.133.14 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    5. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)
    9. ? Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)

    "image:Aquilegia formosa 14962.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Aquilegia_formosa&oldid=75141"
    Facts about "Aquilegia formosa"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyRanunculaceae +
    Belongs to genusAquilegia +
    Has binomial nameAquilegia formosa +
    Has common nameWestern Columbine +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFlowers +, Leaves + and Root +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeBees +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone3 +
    Has imageAquilegia formosa 14962.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useHair care + and Parasiticide +
    Has mature height0.75 +
    Has mature width0.45 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntispasmodic +, Diaphoretic +, Parasiticide +, Resolvent + and Salve +
    Has primary imageAquilegia formosa 14962.JPG +
    Has search nameaquilegia formosa + and western columbine +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameAquilegia formosa +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Aquilegia formosa +, Aquilegia formosa +, Aquilegia formosa +, Aquilegia formosa +, Aquilegia formosa +, Aquilegia formosa +, Aquilegia formosa +, Aquilegia formosa +, Aquilegia formosa + and Aquilegia formosa +