Species of Aquilegia are polymorphic and difficult to define adequately. Some of the variability is because of introgressive hybridization. Even distantly related species of columbine are often freely interfertile, and many cases of natural hybridization and introgression are known from North America. In arid areas Aquilegia species tend to form small populations often completely isolated from one another - this leads to local fixation of genes and therefore increased variability in species such as Aquilegia. micrantha and Aquilegia. desertorum . In addition, populations with spurless petals are occasionally found in many species[].

Common Name: Columbine

General Information

Aquilegia vulgaris is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing a cluster of basal leaves with one or more flowering stems that can grow 30 - 72cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and food. Often cultivated as an ornamental in gardens, it often escapes into the wild, where it can hybridize with native species[].

Known Hazards

The plant is poisonous though the toxins are destroyed by heat or by drying[, ]. Although this plant contains alkaloids, no cases of poisoning to humans or other mammals have been recorded[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Central and southern Europefrom the Baltic States to Spain east to Ukraine and Greece; N. Africa - Morocco, Algeria.

Habitat

Moist shady positions, especially on calcareous soils or fenland peat[, , ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are hardy to at least -25°c[].
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sunny position[]. Thrives in partial shade[, ]. Intolerant of heavy clay[].
Whilst the blue-flowered forms of this species have no scent, white flowered forms have a soft clove scent in order to attract pollinating insects[].
Most species are short-lived, dying out after 2 - 3 years, though they usually produce seed prolifically[]. This species usually self-sows freely in the garden, it is very apt to hybridize with other members of the genus and usually becomes the dominant partner in any hybridization[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[, ]. It also attracts red spider mites to the garden, these can then move on to other crops such as apples, pears and strawberries[]. It grows well with rhubarb[].

Edible Uses

Flowers - raw. Rich in nectar, they are sweet and delightful[], they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can also be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden[].

The flowers are also used as a tea substitute[].

Medicinal

Columbine was formerly employed in herbal medicine mainly for its antiscorbutic effect, but it has fallen out of favour and is little used nowadays[].
The leaves root and seed are astringent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, parasiticide[, , , , ].
Because of its toxic properties, this plant should not be taken internally without expert advice, though the root is sometimes used externally in poultices to treat ulcers and the commoner skin diseases[, ].
The plant can be harvested at any time from June to October[]. Columbine has produced very unsatisfactory results and is not normally used medicinally[].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[]. It is used in the treatment of affections of the nervous system[].

Other Uses

The seed is used as a parasiticide to rid the hair of lice[]. The dried and crushed seed is used to kill external body parasites[].

Propagation

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