Wild columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Ranunculaceae


Landscape Uses:

Showy, perennial wildflower.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Available at native plant nurseries in northeast and central Florida.
Description:
Perennial deciduous herb with leafy stems. Leaves are alternate, compound, and divided in threes. Leaflets have short lobes. Nodding tubular red and yellow flowers with yellow sepals.
Height:
Typically 1-2 feet in height.
Growth Rate:
Fast.
Range:
Eastern North America south to Liberty County.
Habitats:
Mesic, calcareous hammocks
Soils:
Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, with humusy top layer.
Nutritional Requirements:
Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
Moderate; generally requires moist soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements:
Light shade.
Flower Color:
Red and yellow
Flower Characteristics:
Tubular and nodding with a backward-directed, hollow spur.
Flowering Season:
March-April.
Fruit:
Ring-like capsule
Wildlife and Ecology:
Provides nectar for hummingbirds.
Horticultural Notes:
Spreads quickly.
Comments:
Potentially poisonous. Used by Native Americans for diarrhea and stomach ailments. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page. We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page.


Robert Gundy