Dictionary:
col·um·bine (kŏl'əm-bīn')  |
[Middle English, from Medieval Latin columbīna, from feminine of Latin columbīnus, dovelike (from the resemblance of the inverted flower to a cluster of doves), from columba, dove.]
| 5min Related Video: columbine |
| Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: columbine |
For more information on columbine, visit Britannica.com.
| Columbia Encyclopedia: columbine |
| Gardener's Dictionary: Aquilegia |
| Wikipedia: Aquilegia |
| Columbines | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Aquilegia sibirica fruit (left), flower (right) and leaves (bottom) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Subfamily: | Thalictroideae |
| Genus: | Aquilegia L. |
| Species | |
|
60-70, see text |
|
Aquilegia (pronounced /ˌækwɨˈliːdʒiə/)[1] is a genus of about 60-70 species of columbines, herbaceous perennial plants that are found in meadows, woodlands, and at higher altitudes throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They are known for their distinctive flowers, generally bell-shaped, with each petal modified into an elongated nectar spur. Its fruit takes the form of a follicle.[2] Columbine is derived from the Latin word for Dove.
Columbines are closely related to plants in the genera Actaea (baneberries) and Aconitum (wolfsbanes/monkshoods), which like Aquilegia produce cardiogenic toxins.[3]
They are used as food plants by some Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) caterpillars. These are mainly of noctuid moths – noted for feeding on many poisonous plants without harm – like Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae), Dot Moth (Melanchra persicariae) and Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis). The Engrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia), a geometer moth, also uses columbine as larval foodplant.
Several species are grown in gardens, including the European Columbine (A. vulgaris), a traditional garden flower in many parts of the world[4]. Numerous cultivars and hybrids have also been developed as well. They are easy to propagate from seed.
The flowers of various species of Aquilegia were consumed in moderation by Native Americans as a condiment with other fresh greens, and are reported to be very sweet, and safe if consumed in small quantities. The plant's seeds and roots are highly poisonous however, and contain cardiogenic toxins which cause both severe gastroenteritis and heart palpitations if consumed as food. Native Americans used very small amounts of Aquilegia root as an effective treatment for ulcers. However, the medical use of this plant is better avoided due to its high toxicity; columbine poisonings may be fatal.[3]
The Colorado Blue Columbine (A. caerulea) is the official state flower of Colorado (see also Columbine, Colorado).
Also, columbines have been important in the study of evolution. It was found that Sierra Columbine (A. pubescens) and Crimson Columbine (A. formosa) each have specifically adapted pollinators, with hawkmoths that can pollinate one species while usually failing to pollinate the other. Such a "pollination syndrome", being due to flower genetics, ensures reproductive isolation and can be a cause of underlying speciation.[5]
Large numbers of hybrids are now available for the garden, since the British A vulgaris was joined by other European and N American varieties. [6] Aquilegia species are very interfertile, and will self sow. [7]
Columbine species include:[8]
_02.jpg)
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Aquilegia |
 |
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Columbine (plant). |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
| Best of the Web: columbine |
Some good "columbine" pages on the web:
 Gardening hcs.osu.edu |
 | chrys- |
| Aquilegia vulgaris |
| dove's-foot |
 | How does the columbine dispersed? |
| Columbine Shooting they took with the and? |
| How many phones are at the columbine school? |
Copyrights:
 |
 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
 |
| Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
 |
| Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/. Read more |
 |
| Gardener's Dictionary. Taylor's Dictionary for Gardeners, by Frances Tenenbaum. Copyright © 1997 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
 |
| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Aquilegia". Read more |
Mentioned in
