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| Western Columbine (Aquilegia Formosa) in Mother Nature's Garden of Health |
Four
years into a continuing drought in Southern California. We’ve
supplemented the meager spring rainfall, hoping our plants make it through the summer. But even in early May, many of the greenest plants
are those growing in shade. Among the
prettiest shade plants in Mother Nature’s Garden of Health is the Western
columbine, Aquilegia formosa.
Western
columbine is a member of the Ranunculaceae
(Buttercup or Crowfoot family), which has a worldwide distribution of around
1800 species. Among the better-known
members are Ranunculus (genus Ranunculus),
Anemone (genus Anemone), Larkspur
(genus Delphinium), Meadow rue (genus
Thalictrum) and Clematis (genus Clematis). Many species are planted in gardens and some
are used in traditional medicine. Some Ranunculaceae produce chemicals that are
toxic to humans and animals, so it’s best to learn their properties before
including them in your garden.
Western
columbine can be found from Alaska and Montana to Baja California, Mexico. It
grows throughout much of the California Floristic Province (west of the Sierra
Nevada Range), with the exception of the
Great Central Valley, South Coast, and Channel Islands. It inhabits moist places in many plant
communities including stream banks, seeps,
chaparral, oak woodland, mixed evergreen forest and coniferous forest to 8000
foot elevation. In Southern California, it can be found in
the San Gabriel and Liebre Mountains.
An herbaceous perennial, Aquilegia formosa is 2-3 feet tall and about as
wide. Drought deciduous, it normally dies
back in summer; given water, it can remain green until fall. The foliage is pale blue-green, becoming
red-tinged if dry. The leaves look somewhat
like an over-sized Maidenhair fern, with deeply lobed leaflets in groups of
three (see below). The foliage grows
mostly as a mound of green at the base. The
plant is similar in appearance to the related Fendler’s meadow rue (Thalictrum fendleri), also growing in our
Garden of Health. Despite the delicate
appearance, Aquilegia formosa is a
fairly hardy plant.
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| Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa): foliage |
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| Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa): flowering stalks |
Western
columbine flowers in late spring or summer.
In local lowland gardens, it may bloom as early as April; in areas with
cool spring weather, it can flower as late as August. As seen above, the flowers grow at the ends
of erect, many-branched flowering stalks; the overall appearance being open and
lacy. Blooming plants are so unique that
they attract rapt attention, at least in our garden. Columbine flowers seem destined to be admired
and photographed!
The
flowers of Aquilegia formosa, while smaller than those of Columbine cultivars,
possess all the charm of their larger brethren.
The flowers are described as ‘nodding’; they droop and sway on their
branches, unlike the more stiffly erect flowers of other species. Our
plant in the Garden of Health has flowers somewhat in-between (see below). The surprise appearance of an erect,
yellow-flowered plant this year (inset, below) strengthens our suspicion that
our plant may be a hybrid, rather than the straight species.
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| Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa) flower; inset shows yellow-flowered volunteer that resembles Aquilegia pubescens |
Western
columbine is known for its brilliantly colored flowers. If you like red and yellow, this is surely a
plant you’ll like! Columbines have a
highly modified floral structure designed to attract specific pollinators. The five red, petal-like structures are
actually sepals (structures that are often green and inconspicuous in other
flowers). The yellow and red petals form tube-like
structures with a broad, yellow opening (the ‘blade’) and a narrow red-orange
tube (the ‘spur’).
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| Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa): close-up of flower petals |
The
spurs in Aquilegia formosa are
relatively short and straight compared to other Columbines. Its flowers are pollinated by long-tongued
pollinators, primarily hummingbirds (and occasionally large butterflies). The
nectar is stored in the tips of the spurs, where only a long-tongued pollinator
can reach it; and the pendant flowers are easiest for hummingbirds to access. The
nectar is extra sweet – another hummingbird adaptation found in this species.
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| Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa): close-up of flower (labeled) |
As
shown above, the sexual organs (stamens and pistils) extend well beyond the
blades, ensuring that hummingbirds will brush against them, transporting pollen
from flower to flower. If several
species are present, pollen may be transferred between them, creating the hybrids
for which Columbines are well-known. To learn more about the special adaptations of
Columbines and their pollinators we recommend: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/beauty/columbines/birdsandbees.shtml
Western
columbine does best with some shade. In
local gardens, we recommend planting it under trees (dappled shade) or in
bright shade on the north side of buildings or walls. While preferring a well-drained soil, it does
fine in clay-loams and tolerates a wide pH range (4.0-8.0). Plants do need
moist soils, at least until flowering ceases; they can even tolerate winter
flooding. Consider planting Columbines
with other water-loving plants so they receive the moisture they need.
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| Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa): mature seed capsules |
While
short-lived (3-4 years), Western columbine reseeds well in many gardens. Each flower can produce many small, dark
seeds. As seen in the photo above, the
dry seed capsules open from the top and wind plays a role in distributing
seeds. To prevent re-seeding (and
prolong flowering) deadhead flowers regularly.
Watch seed capsules closely if you wish to collect the seed; seeds can
ripen quickly in warm weather. Some
gardeners cut off the semi-dry fruiting stalks and place them upside down in a
paper bag, allowing the seeds to harvest themselves.
If
starting plants from fresh seed, simply scatter seeds in the garden or start
them, barely covered, in pots in spring or fall. Older seeds – or those from colder climates –
may germinate better with a short cold-moist pretreatment. Soak seeds overnight, then place in a damp
coffee filter (folded to contain the seeds) and store in an open plastic bag in
the refrigerator for 3-5 days before planting. Seeds will take 3-4 weeks to germinate.
Columbines
make a lovely addition to shady areas of the garden. They add woodland charm to
shady places under trees and do well with our moisture-requiring native
ferns. Place them where you can enjoy
visits from the local hummingbirds – near a bench or porch. In nature, Western columbine sometimes forms
large colonies in open areas. Mass
plantings in the garden can be equally spectacular! Columbines can even be grown in large
containers. And the flowers make a
spectacular addition to floral arrangements.
Native
peoples use Aquilegia formosa where
ever it grows. All part of the plant
(with the possible exception of the flowers) are at least mildly toxic. So we don’t recommend eating it, though some
native peoples did so in the past. But
the medicinal uses of this plant are legion.
That’s why we grow it in Mother Nature’s Garden of Health.
Mashed
fresh roots are traditionally rubbed on aching, arthritic joints and applied to bee stings and skin sores to relieve pain; a
poultice of fresh leaves is used similarly.
Several tribes report using a mild decoction of the leaves for sore
throats, colds and coughs. A decoction
of roots and leaves was taken for dizziness and stomach upset; and a decoction
of roots is a traditional Shoshoni medicine for stomachaches, diarrhea and to
induce vomiting.
As
with all medicines – particularly those taken internally – caution is
advised. There is often a thin margin of
error with medicines: the right dose can
heal, but the wrong dose can kill (or make
you very sick).
The
seeds of Aquilegia formosa are very
fragrant. They were traditionally ground
or chewed to release the scent, then used as a perfume (or to cure head
lice!). You can grind the seeds and include
them in potpourri or use sachets of ground seeds perfume clothing. The
flowers are said to be good luck charms in some Native American cultures. We can’t vouch for their efficacy as charms –
but they certainly are special flowers!
For a
gardening information sheet see: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-aquilegia-formosa
For more
pictures of this plant see: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/aquilegia-formosa-web-show
For plant
information sheets on other native plants see: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html
For more on
the evolution of columbines see: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/beauty/columbines/naturalhistory.shtml
We
welcome your comments (below). You can
also send your questions to: mothernaturesbackyard10@gmail.com
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