Intro: Erect perennial found in a variety of moist to dry habitats, including forests, woodlands and rock outcrops (often on calcareous or mafic soils).

Stems: Stems slender, branched, smooth or hairy.

Leaves: Leaves basal and alternate on stem, petiolate, divided into 3 leaflets to 1 1/2 in. long and wide, with each leaflet divided again into 3 lobed or toothed leaflets; white-waxy coating on underside.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in an open panicle, nodding on slender stalks; red and yellow, about 1 in. long, turned upside down so that the long spur at the base of each of 5 red petals points upward and the inner yellow parts point down; yellow stamens protrude and dangle.

Fruits: Fruit a narrow, 5-parted follicle with ascending-spreading persistent styles.

Comments: Visited by ruby-throated hummingbirds and some long-tongued bumblebees.

Height: 1-3 ft.

plant sale text: This southeastern native perennial is easy to grow. The pale red and yellow flowers are borne above the foliage on loosely branched stalks. The pendant flowers are a favorite nectar source of hummingbirds. Eastern columbine is a showy addition to the garden whether planted in small groups or masses. It is an excellent choice for naturalizing as it often seeds in. And it supports up to 12 species of lepidoptera. Eastern columbine also makes an excellent cut flower. 1987 N.C. Wildflower of the Year.

bloom table text: Eastern columbine is a perennial wildflower native to North Carolina. Aquilegia blooms in mid-spring and has a tendency to self-sow its seeds during the reproductive stage. Its flowers have red and yellow tubular petals with curved, knobbed spurs. The red color of the flower attracts insects and hummingbirds, whose long tongues can reach the nectar at the base of the long spurs. They were said to resemble the talons of an eagle (aquila in Latin) or a circle of doves (columba in Latin) drinking around a fountain. Eastern columbine also makes an excellent cut flower. 1987 N.C. Wildflower of the Year.

description: Erect perennial found in a variety of moist to dry habitats, including forests, woodlands and rock outcrops (often on calcareous or mafic soils).

stems: Stems slender, branched, smooth or hairy.

leaves: Leaves basal and alternate on stem, petiolate, divided into 3 leaflets to 1 1/2 in. long and wide, with each leaflet divided again into 3 lobed or toothed leaflets; white-waxy coating on underside.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in an open panicle, nodding on slender stalks; red and yellow, about 1 in. long, turned upside down so that the long spur at the base of each of 5 red petals points upward and the inner yellow parts point down; yellow stamens protrude and dangle.

fruits: Fruit a narrow, 5-parted follicle with ascending-spreading persistent styles.

comments: Visited by ruby-throated hummingbirds and some long-tongued bumblebees.

cultural notes:

germination code: 2

native range: eastern North America