click each picture to view them from their original website
Aquilegia caerulea, more commonly known as Rocky Mountain Columbine or Colorado Columbine, is a perennial dicot from the family Ranunculaceae. The plant was first discovered by a mountain climber named Edwin James in 1820 while he and his party were climbing Pikes Peak. Aquilegia is the Latin term for eagle. The five flower spurs of this plant resemble eagle talons. "Caerulea" means deep blue in Latin. However, Aquilegia caerulea can be found in white and red, as well as blue. Aquilegia caerulea, the Columbine, is the state flower of Colorado. Rich in nectar, they have a sweet taste, they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden.
Aquilegia caerulea can be found across the west in New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota. In Utah, this plant is found from 1,660 to 3,640 meters. Rocky Mountain columbine can survive very cold winters with annual averages as low as -30° Fahrenheit. This plant needs summer days with high heat. The best soil for this species has a texture that is loamy. It prefers moist soils. They grow to 0.6m. It is hardy to zone three. It is in flower from April to July.
Aquilegia caerulea, more commonly known as Rocky Mountain Columbine or Colorado Columbine, is a perennial dicot from the family Ranunculaceae. The plant was first discovered by a mountain climber named Edwin James in 1820 while he and his party were climbing Pikes Peak. Aquilegia is the Latin term for eagle. The five flower spurs of this plant resemble eagle talons. "Caerulea" means deep blue in Latin. However, Aquilegia caerulea can be found in white and red, as well as blue. Aquilegia caerulea, the Columbine, is the state flower of Colorado. Rich in nectar, they have a sweet taste, they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden.
Aquilegia caerulea can be found across the west in New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota. In Utah, this plant is found from 1,660 to 3,640 meters. Rocky Mountain columbine can survive very cold winters with annual averages as low as -30° Fahrenheit. This plant needs summer days with high heat. The best soil for this species has a texture that is loamy. It prefers moist soils. They grow to 0.6m. It is hardy to zone three. It is in flower from April to July.
Aquilegia caerulea has many medicinal uses such as Antispasmodic, diaphoretic, parasiticide to kill lice, resolvent, and salve. In addition, the seed was chewed, or an infusion of the root was used, to treat abdominal pains and general sickness. Antispasmodic drugs relieve cramps or spasms of the stomach, intestines, and bladder. Diaphoretics cause perspiration. A resolvent is a substance that disperses swelling, or effects absorption of a new growth. A salve is an analgesic or medicinal ointment.