ExplorePlants

western columbine

Aquilegia formosa

The western columbine is a beautiful flower with bright red and yellow petals. It grows in forests and brings color to the woods during spring and summer.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The western columbine has striking, spurred flowers with vibrant red sepals and yellow petals, creating a fiery bicolour display. Its nodding blooms stand out with their unique shape, making them easy to identify in its natural habitat.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRanunculalesFamilyRanunculaceaeGenusAquilegia
western columbine
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgespring_blooming trait badgefragrant_flower trait badge
western columbine

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Hummingbirds are its favorite visitors, using their long beaks like straws to sip nectar from deep inside!

Its unique flower shape makes it look like a tiny jester's hat or a cluster of launching rockets!

Some clever bees will chew holes in the flowers to steal nectar without helping to pollinate!

This hardy plant can often be found growing in rocky cracks, showing its amazing toughness!

Special abilities

Ability

Nectar Beacon

western columbine has long, hollow spurs that hold sweet nectar, attracting hummingbirds perfectly suited to reach it.

Ability

Wind Weaver

Its delicate, divided leaves allow wind to pass through easily, helping the plant resist strong gusts on exposed slopes.

Ability

Pollinator Magnet

The bright red and yellow colors, along with specific nectar rewards, signal to pollinators that it's a valuable food source.

Measurements & details

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

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Do not touch or eat flowers without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is western columbine?

30-90 cm

How wide does western columbine spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on western columbine?

3-5 cm

When does western columbine bloom?

Late spring to mid-summer

Is western columbine edible?

No

Is western columbine toxic?

Mild

What is western columbine's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is western columbine pollinated?

Bird

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.

Where to spot

More Plants