Also known as: Rock Bells, Aquilegia canandensis. Buttercup (Ranunculaceae) Family.

Color Variations: Several. Identify by the shape of the flowers. A second variety, A. vulgarus, also exists, though it has no red flowers and is not common.

Commentary: This particular species of columbine can be distinguished by the red flowers shown above. The flowers hang below a stalk growing up to 18" above the ground, and several inches vertically. The plant is tall and grows in clusters, but it is not necessarily as dense as other woodland plants. The 5 petals which surround the flower's stamens hang like a light bulb in a Tiffany lamp. This Columbine is not native to our area; this specimen came from Lowell, Indiana. However, it grows perniciously and is easily transplanted. Give columbine a large areas to the back of a wildflower garden. The plant thrives in partial sun.

Precautions and Uses: Klimas & Cunningham (1974) provides an excellent description of Native American uses, including food, stomachache and cough suppressant, and love charm. Klimas & Cunningham also provides an excellent description of the naming of the plant.

Soil Preferences: 5.5-7.0, 6.0-7.5 for A. vulgarus.

References: Klimas & Cunningham p. 191, Swink & Wilhelm 113, Wampler & Wampler 10, Pepoon n802-3.

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