The Columbine flower (Aquilegia) is a perennial plant known for its intricate and distinctive bloom structure. It is a popular choice for cultivated gardens and is found as a wildflower across the Northern Hemisphere. The genus name Aquilegia comes from the Latin word for “eagle,” referencing the spurred petals that resemble an eagle’s talons. With over 60 species, the Columbine is highly variable and hybridizes easily, resulting in a wide range of colors and shapes.
The Distinctive Flower Shape
The unique appearance of the Columbine flower is created by an arrangement of two sets of five parts, giving it a layered or bell-like look. The outer layer consists of five sepals that are often brightly colored, unlike the typically green sepals of many other flowers. These sepals spread out or extend at right angles from the center, forming a star shape that frames the inner structures.
The inner layer is composed of five true petals, which are distinctively modified to create the flower’s complexity. Each of the five petals is divided into two parts: a broad, cupped blade section toward the front of the flower and a long, hollow tube projecting backward. This layered complexity differentiates the Columbine from simpler, radially symmetrical flowers, creating a form that is often described as whimsical or airy. The entire flower can either be held in an erect position or have a slightly nodding presentation, depending on the specific species.
The Identifying Trait: Nectar Spurs
The most defining and recognizable characteristic of the Columbine flower is the presence of the nectar spurs. These structures are five hollow, tube-like extensions that project backward from the base of the petals, with one spur extending from each inner petal. The spur is the part of the petal that has curled into a cylinder, and it houses a gland at its tip that produces sweet nectar.
The length and curvature of these specialized spurs vary significantly across Aquilegia species. For example, Aquilegia vulgaris has short, hooked spurs preferred by bees, while Aquilegia longissima can have extremely long, straight spurs, sometimes reaching 16 centimeters, adapted for pollination by hawk moths. This variation is primarily due to changes in cell elongation during development. The spur’s length directly correlates with the tongue length of the specific pollinator it is adapted to attract, such as hummingbirds and hawkmoths.
Color Patterns and Varieties
Columbines exhibit a broad and vibrant spectrum of colors, including various shades of blue, purple, red, pink, yellow, and white. A frequent and striking feature is the bi-coloration of the blooms, which enhances their visual appeal.
In these bi-colored varieties, the outer sepals are often a different color than the inner petals and their corresponding spurs. This color contrast creates a dynamic and layered effect, such as a white inner section framed by violet-blue sepals, or red sepals surrounding yellow petals.
North American native species often feature yellow and red flowers, which attract hummingbirds, while high-altitude species may present blue or blue-purple flowers. Cultivated hybrids further expand this palette, producing intricate combinations and occasionally even double-flowered forms that appear rose-like.
Foliage and Overall Plant Appearance
Beyond the flower, the Columbine plant has a graceful, airy growth habit and distinctive foliage. The leaves are basal, meaning they form a clump at the bottom of the plant, and are characterized as lobed or deeply divided. This delicate, compound foliage often has a soft, bluish-green hue and sometimes resembles that of clover.
The flowers are held high above this mounding foliage on slender, branching stems. Depending on the species or variety, the plant typically reaches a mature height between 1 and 3 feet. Even after the flowering period ends, the foliage often remains attractive and can take on purple or red tints in the fall, contributing to the plant’s overall presence in the garden.