Aquilegia canadensis
| Aquilegia canadensis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Aquilegia canadensis (common name: wild columbine)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be slow to germinate[1]. Stored seed can be sown in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer.
Division in spring[1].
Cultivation: An easily grown and very tolerant plant[K], it succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sunny position[2]. Intolerant of heavy clay[1]. Does well in semi-shade[3]. Prefers a rather poor slightly acid soil[3].
A very ornamental and cold-hardy plant, it tolerates temperatures down to about -25°c[1,187].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[4].
A greedy plant inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[5]. Plants are pollinated by humming birds in the wild[6].
Most species in this genus are short-lived, dying out after 2 - 3 years, though they usually produce seed prolifically[1]. However, they are very apt to hybridize with other members of the genus and so it becomes difficult to keep a species true to type if more than one is grown in the garden[1].
Range: N. America - Nova Scotia to the Northwest Territories and south to Nebraska, Texas and Florida.
Habitat: Rocky, wooded or open slopes and sometimes in swamps[7].
Edibility: Flowers - raw. Sweet and delightful[8]. Rich in nectar[9], they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can also be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden[K].
Root[10][11][12]. These reports possibly refer to the root being chewed for its medicinal virtues[K]. Caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity[8].
Medicinal: Antispasmodic, diaphoretic, parasiticide, resolvent, salve[8][13].
The root is astringent and diuretic[13][14]. It is chewed or made into a weak tea for the treatment of diarrhoea and stomach aches[13]. The tea is used in the treatment of uterine bleeding[13].
The boiled plant was used as a hair wash[9].
The seed is anodyne and febrifuge[14]. An infusion is used in the treatment of headaches and fevers[14].
Usage: The seed is rubbed into the scalp to rid the hair of lice[8][13].
The crushed seed is pleasantly aromatic and is used as a perfume. The fragrance persists for a long time[15].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, it belongs to a family that contains a number of mildly toxic species. It is therefore wise to exercise some caution. The flowers are probably perfectly safe to eat.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Schofield, Janice. Discovering Wild Plants.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.