The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: eastern red columbine, wild columbine, American columbine

Family: Ranunculaceae (buttercup family)

Synonym: Aquilegia latiuscula

Distribution: e. North America

Hardiness: USDA Zone 3

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: This is a beautiful spring wildflower that is often found growing up to 1-3' tall in rocky woods on slopes or ledges. Eastern red columbine features drooping yellow and red bell-shaped flowers that are distinctive for the long spurs on each of the five petals. Hummingbirds are some of the main pollinators of this plant, as their long beaks can reach all the way to the back of the spurs where the nectar is located. The genus name, Aquilegia, comes from the Latin word "aquila" meaning "eagle", referring to the spurred petals that some thought resembled an eagle's talons. The delicate foliage looks similar to that of meadow rue (Thalictrum).