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Aquilegia coerulea - E.James.

Common Name

Rocky Mountain Columbine

Family

Ranunculaceae

USDA hardiness

3-7

Known Hazards

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.

Habitats

A wide range of habitats, especially in aspen groves[187], in the upper levels of the Rockies[60]. Rocky slopes or near streams in open woodland or herbland at elevations of 2100 - 3600 metres[270].

Range

Western N. America - Montana to Arizona and New Mexico.

Edibility Rating

(2 of 5)

Other Uses

(1 of 5)

Weed Potential

No

Medicinal Rating

(1 of 5)

Care (info)

Fully Hardy

Moist Soil

Semi-shade

Full sun


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Summary

Colorado columbine, the state flower of Colorado, is a striking perennial of mountain meadows and canyons, bearing blue to white flowers with long spurs. It typically grows 30–60 cm tall but can reach up to 70 cm under favorable conditions. Its finely divided, lobed leaves form basal clumps, and it blooms from late spring into summer. Although all columbines have reports of edible flowers, they must be treated with great caution. The flowers of A. coerulea are sweet at first taste, but their perfume- and medicine-like overtones suggest that they are best left for garnish only. Cooking dissipates some of these unusual flavors and produces a mild yellow broth. Other plant parts contain cardiogenic toxins and are poisonous. Even with flowers, only very small quantities should ever be consumed. Ecologically, Colorado columbine is a valuable nectar source for hawkmoths, butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, which are adapted to its long nectar spurs. It thrives in moist but well-drained soils, often in partial shade, at elevations of 6,000–10,000 feet (1,800–3,000 m). The plant spreads slowly from seed and tends to form scattered colonies in montane habitats.

Physical Characteristics

Aquilegia coerulea is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from April to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers
Edible Uses:

Flowers - raw. Rich in nectar, they have a sweet taste[172], they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can also be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden[K]. Although all columbines have reports of edible flowers, they must be treated with great caution. The flowers of A. coerulea are sweet at first taste, but their perfume- and medicine-like overtones suggest that they are best left for garnish only. Cooking dissipates some of these unusual flavors and produces a mild yellow broth. Other plant parts contain cardiogenic toxins and are poisonous. Even with flowers, only very small quantities should ever be consumed.

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic Diaphoretic Parasiticide Parasiticide Resolvent Salve

Antispasmodic, diaphoretic, parasiticide, resolvent, salve[172]. The seed was chewed, or an infusion of the root was used, to treat abdominal pains and general sickness[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Parasiticide Parasiticide

The seed is used as a parasiticide to rid the hair of lice[172]. Ecologically, Colorado columbine is a valuable nectar source for hawkmoths, butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, which are adapted to its long nectar spurs.

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sheltered sunny position[1]. It also succeeds in partial shade[187]. Intolerant of heavy clay soils[200]. A very ornamental plant, it is the state flower of Colorado[187, 270]. Most species are short-lived, dying out after 2 - 3 years, though they usually produce seed prolifically[200]. 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[200]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54]. It thrives in moist but well-drained soils, often in partial shade, at elevations of 6,000–10,000 feet (1,800–3,000 m). The plant spreads slowly from seed and tends to form scattered colonies in montane habitats.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be slow to germinate[200]. 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[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Colorado blue columbine, Dailey's columbine, White Colorado columbine

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Colorado, Idaho (southeast), Montana (south), Wyoming, New Mexico (north), Utah)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

None. It is not invasive and is more often a threatened or protected wildflower.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Aquilegia brevistyla	Smallflower columbine	Perennial	0.9	0-0		LM	SN	M	2	1	1
Aquilegia buergeriana		Perennial	0.6	6-9		LMH	SN	M	2	0	1
Aquilegia canadensis	Wild Columbine, Red columbine, Meeting Houses, Common Columbine	Perennial	0.6	4-10	M	LM	SN	M	2	2	2
Aquilegia flabellata	Fan Columbine, Dwarf Columbine	Perennial	0.3	3-9	S	LM	SN	M	2	0	1
Aquilegia flavescens	Columbine, Yellow columbine	Perennial	0.8	4-8		LM	SN	M	2	1	1
Aquilegia formosa	Western Columbine	Perennial	0.8	3-7		LM	SN	M	2	2	1
Aquilegia formosa truncata	Columbine	Perennial	0.9	3-7		LM	SN	M	2	2	1
Aquilegia jonesii	Columbine, Jones' columbine, Blue limestone columbine	Perennial	0.1	3-7		LM	SN	M	2	1	1
Aquilegia karelinii		Perennial	0.8	-		LM	SN	M	2	0	1
Aquilegia pubescens	Columbine, Sierra columbine	Perennial	0.5	4-8		LM	SN	M	2	1	1
Aquilegia shockleyi		Perennial	0.8	6-9		LM	SN	M	2	1	1
Aquilegia vulgaris	Columbine, European columbine, Granny's Bonnet, European Crowfoot	Perennial	1.0	3-9	M	LM	SN	M	2	1	1
Semiaquilegia adoxoides	Tian Kui	Perennial	0.3	5-9		LMH	SN	M	0	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Author

E.James.

Botanical References

60200270

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