Aquilegia canadensis is the scientific name for Red Columbine or Wild Columbine . This wild herb is widespread in the whole eastern part of North America from north to south. This plant grows over a huge region spreading from Nova Scotia extending up to Northwestern territories and proceeding south to Texas and Florida. Steep and rocky places which are open and moist like wooded slopes, banks of streams and ravines, ledges, thickets and limestone buffs are the main sites where Red columbines are found.
The Red Columbine is a perennial and hardy herb whose height ranges between 12 to 30 inches. It has a broad rootstalk from which there are multiple branched stems which are quite slender. The leaves are arranged alternately and also basal. The lobed leaves come in clusters of three, which are large and more at the bottom section of the plant and become smaller and less dense as they reach the top section. The shape of the leaflets are almost oval having lobes that are rounded.
Flowers and Fruits
The Plant get its scientific name of Aquilegia, from Aquila which means Eagle in Italian. This is so because the flower has spurs of petals which are shaped like the talons of an eagle. The flowers are showy, and are about 1 to 2 inches in length. There are five tubular petals which are red in color and have yellow lips. There are five sepals which are flat and red and they alternate with the lips. Many stamens jut out downwards, extending beyond the sepals and the petals. In the middle of the stamens are five pistils green in color having thin long styles. The petals curve back into the spurs, which create at the ends, knobs which are filled with nectar. The shape of the flower is ideal for hummingbirds and hawk moths to suck out the nectar. The fruit is erect having five follicles ascending in parallel lines and then curving outwards towards the tips.
Red Columbine is an ideal garden plant with its attractive red flowers which nod in the wind. Also very good for landscaping, as it has a foliage which is light green. The plant also has medicinal value, and the Native Americans used different parts of the plant to make various infusions which were known to cure ailments ranging from fevers to heart problems. Its infusion is also known to effectively wash off poison-ivy. The ground seeds of the plant were used as a love charm and also as a perfume by men.
Red Columbines grow very well in soil which is rocky. It also does reasonably well in slight alkaline and heavy clay soils . It has to be grown in an open area but also can grow in moderate shades. Propagation is mainly by seeds and also one can divide the rootstocks. Best time to sow the seeds is from the start of spring to the early period of summer. In winter they can be grown in flats and then transplanted outside in spring time. The seeds need exposure to sunlight for a length of time before they can germinate.
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