Western Columbine AKA Crimson Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) can be found in moist areas throughout the Basin and Range. It belongs to the Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). Columbine is a perennial plant that grows up to 4 feet in height. It tends to flower between May and August with seeds ripening from July to September. They like well-drained, moist soils and tend to grow along stream banks, springs, ponds, in meadows and even on moist mountain slopes. Western Columbine has showy, bright red and yellow flowers that nod or hang upside down. The long, tubular petals form distinctive red spurs that reach toward the sky. These spurs contain nectar sacs in their knob-like ends. Hummingbirds and bees are attracted to the flowers and the sweet nectar and are the most common pollinators this plant. The sepals are red and flare outwards and are often confused with petals. The mouth of the petals tend to be yellow and contain long-protruding stamens. The leaves tend to be compound, divided into three leaflets. Sources: Blackwell, L.R. "Great Basin Wildflowers: A Guide to Common Wildflowers of the High Deserts of Nevada, Utah, and Oregon." Morris Book Publishing, LLC., 2006.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Follow us on these social media sites:
The Basin and Range Project
We love the Basin and Range region and work to promote appreciation and respect for the area. We encourage all users to learn about, play in and protect this amazing resource. We currently focus primarily on issues in the Nevada region of the Basin and Range, but are looking to expand soon.
Categories
All
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
|