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: Western Columbine

General Information

Aquilegia formosa is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing a cluster of basal leaves with one or more flowering stems that can grow 30 - 100cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and a food. It is considered very ornamental and is often grown in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western N. America - Alaska to California, east to W. Montana and Utah.

Habitat

Widely distributed in many habitats from the coast to the coastal mountains[]. Moist woods and damp places in scrub and on banks from sea-level to 3000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is hardy to about -15°c[].
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sheltered sunny position[] or partial shade[]. Intolerant of heavy clay[].
A very ornamental plant[].
A short-lived species, often dying out after 2 - 3 years, though it usually produces seed prolifically[, ]. 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[].
This species is closely related to Aquilegia canadensis[] and Aquilegia flavescens[], often hybridizing with Aquilegia flavescens in the wild where their ranges overlap[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[].

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[]. Children enjoy sucking out the sweet nectar from the base of the flowers[].

Early spring greens cooked and eaten as a vegetable[]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Root - cooked. Used by the N. American Indians as a famine food[]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal

Western columbine was quite frequently employed by a number of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[]. It is little used in modern herbalism.
The plant is antispasmodic, diaphoretic, parasiticide, resolvent, salve[].

A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and stomach aches[].
The mashed fresh roots can be rubbed briskly on aching rheumatic joints[].

A decoction of the roots and leaves is used in the treatment of VD, dizziness and biliousness[].
A poultice of chewed roots or leaves is applied to bee stings, sores etc[].

A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of sore throats, coughs and colds[].

The seeds can be chewed as a remedy for stomach aches[].

Other Uses

The seed is used to rid the hair of lice[, ].

The whole plant is boiled up and used as a hair wash[, ].

The seeds are aromatic. They can be crushed and rubbed on the body as a perfume or placed in a sachet and stored with clothes to impart a nice smell[].

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[].