subject: Introducing The Red Columbine (aquilegia Formosa) [print this page] The red columbine (Aquilegia Formosa) may be a common sight in the wildflower fields of western North America but its beauty makes it one of the flowers where falling in love is a foregone conclusion at every sight. It swings gently in the breeze like a ballerina on graceful pirouettes with her audience the finest hummingbirds and the prettiest butterflies, not to mention that these animals thrive on columbine nectar. It is, indeed, one of the best plants to have in your garden!
The plant grows to an average of 60 centimeters with a range of 20 to 80 centimeters in height. Even the small ones stand out from among a bunch of other plants, thanks to its vibrant red, showy and strong flowers. These flowers bloom best from April to August although there are variations between regions.
The petals actually range in color from orange to red with yellow hues in between. Technically speaking, the yellow inner parts of the flowers are the true petals while the orange to red parts are the sepals; all of these parts make the red columbine look as flirty as Little Miss Muffet raising her skirts for a coy curtsy. Also, the 5 spurs range in form from straight to inward-curving but all of these have rounded tips.
The red columbine's flowers are edible, which have a sweet taste because of the nectar. Just be careful about the bees since these insects love it, too.
An important note on eating red columbine: Avoid eating the seeds and other parts of the plant as these contain cyanogenic glycosides. These compounds can cause headaches, muscle weakness and tightness in the throat and chest, symptoms similar to cyanide poisoning.
The red columbine thrives in almost all kinds of habitats except on altitudes above 3,300 meters and on desert floors. Moist areas with partial to full shade are the best growing conditions, which explain the plant's presence from coastlines to sub-alpine meadows. Stream banks are common areas for clusters of red columbine.
The plant also self-propagates. Ripe seeds scatter around the areas surrounding the mother plant, which will then grow out of the earth come next spring. There's no need to cover the seeds with earth since these germinate by sunlight.
You can also help Mother Nature along by collecting the black seeds. Just hold your hand under the dried pods, break these open and then scatter the seeds where you want new red columbine plants to take root.
