ExplorePlants

common columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris

The common columbine is a beautiful flower with unique, spiky petals that look like little bells. It often blooms in gardens and can attract butterflies and hummingbirds with its bright colors.

Habitat: Gardens

Appearance

The common columbine has striking, intricate bell-shaped flowers with five distinctive backward-pointing spurs. Its blossoms, often purple, blue, pink, or white, hang elegantly, contrasting with its lobed, blue-green foliage.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRanunculalesFamilyRanunculaceaeGenusAquilegia
common columbine
bell_shaped_flower trait badgeflowering trait badgebiennial trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
common columbine

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Ancient people believed smelling columbine flowers could make you courageous.

Columbine seeds can stay alive in the soil for decades, waiting to sprout!

Its intricate flower shape makes it look like a tiny crown or jester's hat!

Some wild columbines can grow in cracks of rocks on steep mountain cliffs!

Special abilities

Ability

Nectar Nooks

Common columbine has long spurs holding nectar, guiding long-tongued insects and hummingbirds to pollinate effectively.

Ability

Pollen Funnel

Its unique bell-shaped petals funnel pollinators deep inside, ensuring efficient pollen transfer for successful reproduction.

Ability

Seed Slingers

Dry seed pods split open at the top, allowing seeds to be shaken out and dispersed by wind or passing animals.

Measurements & details

Height
60-90 cm
Spread
30-45 cm
Flower Size
3-5 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to early summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Collects nectar and pollen

pollinates

Ruby-throated hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Feeds on nectar from spurs

eats

Aquilegia sawfly

Pristiphora aquilegiae

Larvae feed on leaves

eats

Columbine leaf miner

Phytomyza aquilegiae

Larvae tunnel within leaves

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult, as some can be delicate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is common columbine?

60-90 cm

How wide does common columbine spread?

30-45 cm

How big are the flowers on common columbine?

3-5 cm

When does common columbine bloom?

Late spring to early summer

Is common columbine edible?

No

Is common columbine toxic?

Mild

What is common columbine's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is common columbine pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

More Plants