Aquilegia canadensis L.

Red Columbine; Canadian Columbine; Eastern Columbine

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Eastern Columbine is a native herbaceous perennial in the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It is native to the northern third of Alabama with insolate populations in the southern half of the state. Eastern Columbine grows in open woods, along forest edges, on rock outcrops, on roadside banks, and around caves. It is a perennial from a woody rhizome. Leaves are basal and cauline. The basal leaves are petiolate and twice ternately compound. Leaflets are obovate in outline, entire, and 3-lobed at the apex. Cauline leaves are alternate with the uppermost sessile and reduced in size. Flowering stems are erect, 1-3 feet tall and branched above the middle. The stems are round, green to red in color, and glabrous or pubescent. The inflorescences is a terminal 1-10-flowered cyme. Individual flowers are pendent with 5 red sepals and 5 petals. The petals have an erect red spur and yellow blade. The fruit is a follicle. Eastern Columbine is available from wildflower nurseries. In prefers a sunny to partial sunny site with well-draining soil. It is easily grown from seed, and will flower in the second year. Eastern Columbine flowers are visited by Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds.—A. Diamond

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Native

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