(Aquilegia canadensis)
Conservation • Wetland • Description • Habitat • Biology • Use • Distribution • Taxonomy
Description |
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Wild columbine is a 1′ to 3′ tall, erect, perennial forb that rises from a stout taproot and thin, woody rhizomes. Basal leaves emerge in the early spring on long stems. The leaves are much shorter than the stems. They are divided into groups of 3 leaflets that are up to 3″ long and 2″ wide. Each leaflet is divided again into 3 triangular or wedge-shaped lobes. The lobes are often themselves divided into 2 or more secondary lobes that resemble large, rounded teeth. The leaflets may be stalked or unstalked, with both types occurring on the same plant. The upper surface of the leaf is hairless and may be somewhat covered with a whitish, waxy bloom (glaucous). The lower surface is glaucous and may be finely hairy near the base. In the late spring stems are produced. The stems are slender, sparingly branched, hollow, cylindrical, and hairless, though they may be slightly hairy on the upper portion. Stem leaves are alternate and similar to the basal leaves but smaller and on shorter stalks. They become progressively smaller with shorter stalks as they ascend the stem. The leaves are often tinged with red, sometimes just near the margins. The inflorescence is a solitary flower or pair of flowers at the end of a branch. The flowers are showy and hang downward at the end of a long, erect flower stalk. They are 1″ to 2″ long and ⅔″ to 1¾″ wide. They have 5 petal-like, red, ¼″ to ¾″ long sepals, and 5 red and yellow petals. The tips of the petals are yellow and rounded. The base is a long, slender, erect or slightly-spreading, red nectar spur with a slightly-enlarged tip. Yellow stamens and styles project well beyond the petals. There is no fragrance. The fruits are 5 erect pods, each ⅔″ to 1¼″ long with a beak ⅛″ to ½″ long. |
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Height |
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1′ to 3′ |
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Flower Color |
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Red with yellow centers |
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Similar Species |
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Smallflower columbine (Aquilegia brevistyla) has smaller, blue and white flowers. The spurs are hooked at the tip. It has been recorded only in Clay County. Purple meadow-rue (Thalictrum dasycarpum) is usually much taller. The leaves appear similar but are less deeply lobed. |
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Habitat |
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Dry. Woodland edges, river banks. Full sun to full shade. |
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Biology |
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Flowering |
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May to July |
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Pests and Diseases |
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Use |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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6/13/2022 | ||||
Nativity |
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Native |
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Occurrence |
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Common |
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Taxonomy |
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Kingdom | Plantae (green algae and land plants) | ||
Subkingdom | Viridiplantae (green plants) | ||
Infrakingdom | Streptophyta (land plants and green algae) | ||
Superdivision | Embryophyta (land plants) | ||
Division | Tracheophyta (vascular plants) | ||
Subdivision | Spermatophytina (seed plants) | ||
Class | Magnoliopsida (flowering plants) | ||
Superorder | Ranunculanae | ||
Order |
Ranunculales (buttercups, poppies, and allies) | ||
Family |
Ranunculaceae (buttercup) | ||
Subfamily | Thalictroideae (columbines and meadow-rues) | ||
Genus |
Aquilegia (columbines) | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Aquilegia australis Aquilegia canadensis var. australis Aquilegia canadensis var. coccinea Aquilegia canadensis var. eminens Aquilegia canadensis var. hybrida Aquilegia canadensis latiscula Aquilegia canadensis var. latiuscula Aquilegia coccinea Aquilegia phoenicantha |
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Common Names |
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American columbine Canadian columbine Canadian-columbine Colorado columbine columbine eastern red columbine honeysuckle meeting-houses red columbine wild columbine |
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Glossary
Axil
The upper angle where the leaf stalk meets the stem.
Glaucous
Pale green or bluish gray due to a whitish, powdery or waxy film, as on a plum or a grape.
Rhizome
A horizontal, usually underground stem. It serves as a reproductive structure, producing roots below and shoots above at the nodes.
Sepal
An outer floral leaf, usually green but sometimes colored, at the base of a flower.
Visitor Photos |
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Greg Watson |
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Alfredo Colon |
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Red Columbine flower, Aquilegia canadiensis |
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Wayne Rasmussen |
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Wild columbine and wild blue phlox |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Plant |
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Inflorescence |
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Flower |
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Leaves |
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Slideshows |
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Aquilegia canadensis (Wild Columbine) Allen Chartier |
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Plant portrait - Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) Identify that Plant |
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About
Published on Aug 14, 2014 A detailed look at characteristics of Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). These images and narrative can help to accurately identify the plant during different seasons of the year. |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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Minnesota Native Plant - Canada Columbine (Aquilegia Canadensis) MNNativePlants |
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About
Published on Jun 9, 2013 This video shows the Canada Columbine, or Wild Columbine (Aquilegia Canadensis). |
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MyNature Apps; Identifying Wild Columbine, Aquilegia canadensis MyNatureApps |
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About
Uploaded on May 31, 2011 How to identify Wild Columbine, Aquilegia canadensis also known as Canadian or Canada Columbine, Eastern Red Columbine, wild columbine or honeysuckle. www.mynatureapps.com |
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Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) PrairieMoonNursery |
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About
Uploaded on Jun 4, 2010 http://www.prairiemoon.com - An attractive plant at Prairie Moon Nursery which will attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. |
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wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) wvoutdoorman |
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About
Published on May 11, 2012 wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this plant. |
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This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location. |
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Greg Watson 5/27/2022 |
Location: Eagles Bluff Park in La Crescent, MN |
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Wayne Rasmussen 5/20/2018 |
Location: Maplewood Nature Center |
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Wayne Rasmussen 5/19/2018 |
Location: Rice Lake State Park |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Avon Hills Forest SNA, North Unit Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center Charles A. Lindbergh State Park Hardscrabble Woods / MG Tusler Sanctuary Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary SNA John Peter Hoffman Spring Brook Valley WMA Lake Alexander Woods SNA, South Unit Mary Schmidt Crawford Woods SNA Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area, Lawrence Unit Nerstrand Big Woods State Park |
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