Aquilegia canadensis
Red Columbine
General
A perennial wildflower best suited to partial shade, Red or Eastern Columbine can be found in a variety of habitats, such as forest fringes, river banks, and cliffs. Commonly used as an ornamental plant because of its showy red flowers. The unique form of its petals resembles an eagles talons, which is reflected in the genus name "Aquilegia", from the Latin aquila, meaning eagle. The flowers attract hummingbirds and bees.
Plant Description
Reaching about 2' at maturity. Showy, red and yellow bell-like flowers bloom from April to July. Palmately compound leaves in groups of three with lobed leaflets in a large cluster at the base of the plant, with the flowers growing from taller stems straight from the middle. Dangling, tubular red and yellow flower, pollinated by Ruby throated hummingbirds, hawk moths and bumblebees.
Height (ft)
3'
Soil moisture
Moist to moderately dry
Soil types
Loamy, sandy, rocky soils with adequate drainage
Wetland indicator
FACU
Shade tolerance
Partial to Full Shade
Bloom color
Pink/Red with yellow centers
Bloom period
Late spring to early summer
Drought tolerance
Moderate
Salinity tolerance
None
Range
Northeastern United States, from Maine south to South Carolina, and west to North Dakota and Oklahoma, with some populations also in central Texas. Also in Canada north of the Great Lakes.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]
Additional Information
According to the US Forest Service, Native Americans would use this plant to cure heart trouble, kidney problems, headaches, fevers and a wash for poison ivy. Multiple tribes such as the Meskawki, Ponca and Omaha would also use the pulverized seeds as a love charms.