columbines

genus Aquilegia

Member of buttercup family (family Ranunculaceae)
dicots (class Magnoliopsida)
flowering plants (subphylum Angiospermae)

There are no other wild species of this genus in the bay area.

western columbine
Aquilegia formosa

western columbine
Aquilegia formosa

each petal opening is ±round
inner petal edge ≤ 90° to exposed filaments
outer petal edge extended 1–8 mm to somewhat cup the filaments
plant generally glabrous
common

van houtte’s columbine
Aquilegia eximia

van houtte’s columbine
Aquilegia eximia

each petal opening is ±elongated
inner petal edge > 90° to exposed filaments
outer petal edge not extended, so filaments are fully visible from the side
plant densely glandular
uncommon

Toxicity of columbine (Aquilegia spp.):
0 – Non-toxic.

2 observed taxons / 1 key

Chris’s observations: 31 (25 are research grade)

Locations:

Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP: 5
Henry Coe SP: 4
Coal Creek OSP: 3
Sierra Azul OSP: 3
Sweeney Ridge National Recreation Area: 3
Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills: 2
Nisene Marks SP: 2
Skyline Ridge OSP: 2
Ansel Adams Wilderness
Desolation Wilderness
Foothills Nature Preserve, Palo Alto
Long Ridge OSP
Mt. Madonna SP
Waterdog Lake & Open Space
Windy Hill OSP

Months:

Feb.: 1
Mar.: 3
Apr.: 6
May: 9
Jun.: 9
Jul.: 1
Aug.: 1
Sep.: 1

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Taxon info: iNaturalist – Calflora – Jepson eFlora – FNA

Bay Area species: iNaturalist – Calflora