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Colorado alpine columbine

Scientific Name: Aquilegia caerulea var. alpina

Family: Ranunculaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Aquilegia saximontana: The Rocky Mountain Columbine

Aquilegia saximontana, also known as the Rocky Mountain columbine or alpine dwarf columbine, is a charming wildflower native to the high elevations of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Aquilegia saximontana
  • Common Names: Rocky Mountain columbine, alpine dwarf columbine, Colorado alpine columbine, alpine columbine, Colorado Blue Columbine
  • Family: Not explicitly stated in the text, but it belongs to the Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family.
  • Synonyms: Aquilegia coerulea James var. alpina A. Nelson

Distribution and Habitat

  • Endemic: To the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, U.S.A.
  • Habitat: Alpine, subalpine, and montane environments, including meadows, woodlands, rocks, and scree. It thrives in shaded montane and subalpine forests, as well as rocky alpine sites.

Morphology and Growth

  • Aquilegia alpina is noted as a compact species with small clusters of bonnet-shaped, blue flowers.
  • Grows nicely with strawberry foxglove, lady's mantle, and Colorado Mix yarrow.

Quirky Facts

  • The Rocky Mountain Columbine is the state flower of Colorado.