Colorado State Flower

Columbine (common name)
Aquilegia caerulea (scientific name)

Overview

Native to the high mountains of North America, the columbine is a member of the buttercup family known for its bell-shaped flowers where each petal has a long "spur." In fact, aquilegia, the Latin term for eagle used in the flower’s scientific name, refers to these spurs, which resemble eagle talons.

Smaller species of columbine can be found blooming in sub-alpine and alpine areas of the Rocky Mountains at altitudes of 10,000–13,000 feet (3,300–4,000 m) in July and August. The Colorado blue columbine was declared the state flower of Colorado in 1899 after which the rare, delicate plant was protected by law. Laws passed in 1925 prohibited digging up or removing columbines from any public lands. Additionally, it was declared illegal to pick columbines from private land without owner consent, and picking these flowers was also restricted to no more than 25 in a single day.

Close-up

STATUS

Official

ALSO KNOWN AS

Blue columbine, Rocky Mountain columbine, alpine blue columbine

PHYSICAL DETAILS

Duration: Annual, Perennial
Plant: Thin, tall stalk with a large flower
Mature Height: 1–2 ft (30–60 cm) in height
Flowering: June–August, depending on altitude
Flowers: 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) across, with five large pointed outer petals, five round interior petals, and a cluster of fine yellow stamens in the center
Flower Color: lavender and white
Leaves: bluish-green, finely divided into leaflets 1 to 1 1/2 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) long
Fruit/Seed Color: small black seeds in green pods

HABITAT

Location: open alpine meadows and moist woodlands
Range: higher altitudes throughout the northern hemisphere

TRIVIA

• Native Americans consume columbine flowers in small quantities (which is considered safe) as a condiment with other fresh greens (they are reported to be very sweet). The plant's seeds and roots are highly poisonous however, and contain toxins that cause both severe gastroenteritis and heart palpitations if ingested. While Native Americans have used very small amounts of the root as a treatment for ulcers, columbine poisonings can be fatal so the medical use of this plant is best avoided.

Click to enlarge an image

Rocky Mountain Columbine

Field of Rocky Mountain Columbine

Close-up of Rocky Mountain Columbine Flower

CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom:	Plantae
Phylum:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Ranunculales
Family:	Ranunculaceae
Genus:	Aquilegia
Species:	A. caerulea

Author: World Trade Press