Aquilegia formosa
| Aquilegia formosa | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Aquilegia formosa (common name: western 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: Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sheltered sunny position[2] or partial shade[3]. Intolerant of heavy clay[1].
A very ornamental plant, it is hardy to about -15°c[3].
A short-lived species, often dying out after 2 - 3 years, though it usually produces seed prolifically[1][4]. 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].
This species is closely related to A. canadensis[1] and A. flavescens[5].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[4].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[6].
Range: Western N. America - Alaska to California, east to W. Montana and Utah.
Habitat: Widely distributed in many habitats from the coast to the coastal mountains[5]. Moist woods and damp places in scrub and on banks from sea-level to 3000 metres[3].
Edibility: Flowers - raw. Rich in nectar, they are sweet and delightful[7][8], they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can also be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden[K]. Children enjoy sucking out the sweet nectar from the base of the flowers[9].
Early spring greens cooked and eaten as a vegetable[9]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Root - cooked. Used by the N. American Indians as a famine food[8]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicinal: Western columbine was quite frequently employed by a number of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[9]. It is little used in modern herbalism.
Antispasmodic, diaphoretic, parasiticide, resolvent, salve[7].
A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and stomach aches[9].
A decoction of the roots and leaves is used in the treatment of VD, dizziness and biliousness[9].
The mashed fresh roots can be rubbed briskly on aching rheumatic joints[9]. A poultice of chewed roots or leaves is applied to bee stings, sores etc[9].
A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of sore throats, coughs and colds[9].
The seeds can be chewed as a remedy for stomach aches[9].
Usage: The seed is used to rid the hair of lice[7][9]. The whole plant is boiled up and used as a hair wash[8][9].
The seeds are aromatic. They can be crushed and rubbed on the body as a perfume or placed in a sachet and stored with clothes to impart a nice smell[9].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Early Fall
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 1.5 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 3.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Schofield, Janice. Discovering Wild Plants.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.