Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Prestigious Plants - Ranunculaceae 05 - Columbine

Plant Indices

COLUMBINE (Aquilegia)

Family: Ranunculaceae

Aquilegia vulgaris

Asia, East

  • Chinese: Fan Kui Cao, Jao Tao Hua, Shu Que Cao, Tian Cai
  • Japanese: Akiregia

Asia, Southeast

  • Indonesian: Kupu Kupu

Europe, Central

  • Czech: Klocec, Orlik, Vysoce
  • German: Akelei, Kanariensporn, Narrenkappe
  • Hungarian: Haranglab
  • LINGUA IGNOTA: Agonzia
  • Polish: Kokoryczka, Orlik
  • Slovak: Orlicek

Europe, Eastern

  • Latvian: Akvileja
  • Romanian: Aquileie
  • Slovenian: Orlitki

Europe, Northern

  • Danish: Akeleje
  • Finnish: Paivankakkara, Ruohokanukaali
  • Norwegian: Akeleie, Haegbeger
  • Swedish: Stjarnklockblomma

Europe, Southern

  • Catalan: Aquilegia

Europe, Western

  • Dutch: Pantoffeltje
  • English: Columbine, Aquilegia, Granny's Bonnet, Lion's Herb, Perfect Love, Rock Bells
  • French: Ankholie, Coucou, Gants De Notre-Dame

Native to:

  • Africa, Northern: Algeria, Morocco
  • America, North: Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon), Guatemala, Mexico, United States (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming)
  • Asia, Central: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
  • Asia, East: China (Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang), Japan, Korea, Russia (Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Islands, Magadan, Primorye, Sakhalin, Tuva, West Siberia, Yakutiya), Taiwan
  • Asia, Northern: Russia
  • Asia, South: Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan
  • Asia, Western: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Turkey
  • Europe, Central: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland
  • Europe, Eastern: Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine
  • Europe, Northern: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands
  • Europe, Southern: France (Corsica), Greece, Italy (Sardinia, Sicily), Portugal, Spain
  • Europe, Western: Belgium, France, England, Ireland, Scotland

A genus of ~60-70 species of perennial flowers. They are found in meadows, woodlands, and at the higher altitudes. Their flowers are known for their spurred petals.

Eagle and Dove
Its Latin name is a reference to the eagle's claws, which are evoked in the spurs of the flower petals. The common name "columbine" is derived from the Latin for "dove," owing to the petals' resemblance to five doves collected together.

Due to its relationship to doves, in religious iconography it is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Lion
Skinner shares that this plant was once known as "lion's herb," given the perceived affection that the lion had for this flower. We point out that both the lion and the eagle are solar emblems, giving this flower a strong connection to the son. Following the "eagle-and-dove" connection, this can be conflated with the Christian iconography of the lion with the lamb.

Victorian Flower Language
In Victorian flower language, the Columbine generally means "folly" or "foolishness," the purple columbine means "resolved to win," and the red columbine means "anxious and trembling."

Foolishness
The association between the columbine and foolishness predates the Victorians. In the commedia dell'arte tradition of early modern Italy, Columbina was the name of the mistress of the jester/fool Harlequin, and served as a loud gossip. Jessica Roux speculates on whether the association of foolishness comes from Columbina's love for Harlequin, or her propensity to make a fool of herself and others. Roux also observes that the columbine also resembles a jester's hat.

Earthly Pleasure
The columbine has been associated with both virtue and vice over the millennia. In the Ancient Mediterranean, the flower was Aphrodite/Venus, and the plant's spurs were considered phallic. According to Robert Nold, there were several centuries where it was an emblem of cuckoldry. Hieronymus Bosch (yes, that one) used it to stand in for sensual pleasures of the flesh.

Christian Symbolism
In Medieval Christian artwork it was common for the columbine to be used as a motif of the sacred and sublime, especially in the 15th century.

Death
During the Elizabethan period it appears to have had connotations of death, as Ophelia connected the columbine to King Claudius in Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Detail of Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights,
where Columbine is uses as an emblem of earthly pleasures.
  • Obvious conflicting war/peace over the eagle/dove divide, as the Eagle shares similar features as an emblem of war with the hawk.
  • Under the name "lion's herb," the meaning of "foolishness" takes on a new dimension, as association with the plant attracts the attention of the dangerous and powerful (the lion).
  • The name "rock bells" suggests it might be used as a reagent to cause an avalanche or rockslide.
  • Under the name "perfect love," it might be used as a divinatory reagent for uncovering a prospective partner's true feelings.

Common Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)

Aquilegia vulgaris
Asia, East
  • Japanese: Odamaki
Asia, West
  • Turkish: Katya Cicegi
Europe, Central
  • Czech: Orlicek Obecny, Panenske Strevicky, Vysoce Obecna
  • German: Europaische Akelei, Gewohnliche Akelei, Ganseblumchen, Narrenkappe, Wald-Akelei
  • LINGUA IGNOTA: Agonzia
  • Polish: Orlik Pospolity
  • Slovak: Ostrozka
Europe, Eastern
  • Estonian: Varvajakuus
  • Lithuanian: Akvileja
  • Romanian: Aquilegie
  • Slovenian: Vrtni Nageljcek
Europe, Northern
  • Danish: Almindelig Akeleje, Hageknuppe, Skovranke
  • Finnish: Kuklikka, Lehtoakileija, Paivankakkara
  • Swedish: Vanlig Akleja
Europe, Southern
  • Italian: Kampanule
  • Spanish: Ancholia, Aquilegia Comun
Europe, Western
  • Dutch: Akelei, Gewone Akelei
  • English: Common Columbine, European Columbine, Granny's Bonnet, Granny's Nightcap, Grandmother's Cap, Lady's Shoes, Perfect Love, Vulgar Columbine
  • French: Aquilee, Clochettes
  • Europe, Central: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland
  • Europe, Eastern: Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Russia (Central European Russia, Northwest European Russia), Ukraine
  • Europe, Northern: Ireland
  • Europe, Southern: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy (Sicily), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Serbia, Spain
  • Europe, Western: Belgium, England, France (Corsica), Netherlands, Scotland

This is a flowering herbaceous perennial. It grows up to 1.2m tall, and has branched, thinly hairy stems. Each leaf has three groups of three leaflets.

The flowers occur in various shades of purple, blue, pink, and white, and its horizontal petals end in hooked spurs. It flowers in early summer.

In traditional herbal medicine, this plant was held sacred to Venus. As such, carrying a posy or nosegay of columbine was said to arouse the affections of the one you desired.

We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.

In modern herbal medicine, the plant is used as an astringent and diuretic.

All parts of the plant are toxic, by virtue of being ranunculates. This might even include inhaling dust from crushed seeds or absorption of oils through the skin (though these last two claims have not been backed up).

Toxicity tests on mice indicate that this is not a lethal or particularly dangerous toxicity, and that the plant's stems and leaves might be reclassified as nontoxic.

  • Perhaps the association with foolishness originates in nosegay love charm? This could be because the belief in the love charm was recharacterized as foolishness, or because the visibility of the charm rendered the intent of it foolish by lack of subtlety. We, ourselves, are divided on this, as many love charms in the historical record are clearly not intended to be magically effective, but to playfully communicate interest in a way that shields one from the possible embarrassment of direct rejection.
  • Perhaps it was simply unfashionable to express one's desires and intent in this manner when the association developed. Or, perhaps, it became unfashionable with the advent of Columbina in Italy.

Alpine Columbine (Aquilegia alpina)

Aquilegia alpina

Europe, Central

  • Czech: Orlíček Alpský
  • German: Alpen-Akelei
  • Polish: Orlik Alpejski
Europe, Southern
  • Italian: Aquilegia Alpina
  • Portuguese: Aquilégia-Dos-Alpes
Europe, Western
  • Dutch: Alpenakelei
  • English: Alpine Columbine, Breath of God, Tyrolean Columbine
  • French: Ancolie Des Alpes

The Alps

  • Europe, Central: Austria, Switzerland
  • Europe, Southern: Italy
  • Europe, Western: France

Biome: Alpine, carbonate bedrock.

A flowering plant native to the Alps. It typically grows on carbonate bedrock.

  • Retained for name and distribution.
  • Under the name "breath of God," could work as a reagent of divine exhalation, breathing life into a spell or charm.

Barbaricina Columbine (Aquilegia barbaricina)

Aquilegia barbaricina

Europe, Western

  • English: Barbaricina Columbine
  • French: Aquilégie De Sardaigne
  • Europe, Southern: Italy (Sardinia)

Biome: Shrub-dominated wetlands.

A columbine that grows in alder scrub along water-courses at altitudes of 1,300-1,400m (4,300-4,600ft). Favors shrub-dominated wetlands. Exclusive to Sardinia.

  • Retained for name and distribution

Black Columbine (Aquilegia atrata)

Aquilegia atrata

Europe, Central

  • Czech: Orlíček Tmavý
  • German: Dunkle Akelei, Schwarzviolette Akelei
  • Polish: Orlik Ciemnofioletowy

Europe, Eastern

  • Croatian: Negruška

Europe, Western

  • English: Black Columbine, Dark Columbine, Dusky Columbine
  • Europe, Central: Austria, Germany, Switzerland
  • Europe, Southern: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia
  • Europe, Western: France

This species is currently accepted within the Aquilegia vulgaris complex, meaning it's genetically a common columbine. That said, it is practically distinguished by the darker color of its flowers, which tend to dark purple, wine-colored, or even brown.

  • Retained for name, color, and distribution.

Bulgarian Columbine (Aquilegia nigricans)

Aquilegia nigricans

Europe, Central

  • Czech: Orlíček Černající
  • German: Dunkle Akelei, Schwarze Akelei
  • Polish: Orlik Ciemniejący

Europe, Eastern

  • Slovenian: Črnkasti Orlicek

Europe, Western

  • English: Bulgarian Columbine, Black Columbine
  • Europe, Central: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia
  • Europe, Eastern: Romania, Ukraine

This columbine is native to the mountainous regions of southeastern Europe at high altitudes, where grows in the sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soils.

  • Retained for name and distribution.

Dwarf Columbine (Aquilegia bertolonii)

Aquilegia bertolonii
Europe, Central
  • German: Bertolonis Akelei
Europe, Western
  • English: Dwarf Columbine, Bertoloni's Columbine
  • French: Ancolie De Bertoloni, Aquilégie De Bertoloni
  • Europe, Southern: Italy

Biome: Alpine.

An alpine herbaceous perennial that grows up to 30cm (12in) in height. Has an erect stem, and produces four spurred, blue-purple flowers. Blooms in early summer.

  • Retained for name and distribution.

Fan Columbine (Aquilegia flabellata)

Aquilegia flabellata
Asia, East
  • Japanese: Odamaki, Ougi-Zen
Europe, Central
  • German: Fächerblättrige Akelei
Europe, Western
  • English: Fan Columbine, Dwarf Columbine, Japanese Columbine
  • Asia, East: China (Inner Mongolia), Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia
  • Asia, Northern: Russia (Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Kuril Islands, Primorye, Sakhalin, Yakutskiya)

This flower grows 20-30cm (7.9-11.8in) in height. In summer it blooms with pale blue, violet-blue, or lavender flowers, each about 3cm (1.2in) across, with creamy-white petals.

  • Retained for names and distribution.

Fragrant Columbine (Aquilegia fragrans)

Aquilegia fragrans

Asia, South

  • Kashmiri: Mushk-E-Bala

Europe, Central

  • German: Duftende Akelei, Khorasani Akelei

Europe, Western

  • English: Fragrant Columbine, Kashmiri Columbine, Sweet-Scented Columbine
  • Asia, South: Afghanistan, Pakistan

Biome: Sub alpine meadows.

Fragrant Columbine grows up to 3-45cm (12-18in) in height. Its leaves are fern-like. Its flowers are showy, coming in yellow and creamy white (occasionally with a blue tinge). As the name indicates, the flowers are fragrant. They bloom from June to August.

This columbine grows in sub alpine meadows in the Western Himalayas at altitudes between 2,400-3,600m.

  • Retained for name and distribution

Green Columbine (Aquilegia viridiflora)

Aquilegia viridiflora

Europe, Central

  • Czech: Orlíček Zelený
  • German: Grünblütige Akelei
  • Polish: Orlik Zielonawy

Europe, Eastern

  • Russian: Zelenkastobeliy Vodosborchik

Europe, Western

  • Dutch: Groenbloemige Akelei
  • English: Green Columbine, Greenflower Columbine
  • Asia, Central: Mongolia
  • Asia, East: China (North-Central, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai), Japan
  • Asia, Northern: Russia (Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Tuva)

The green columbine grows from 15-50cm tall, and spreads out up to 30cm out. Considered both an ornamental and a weed.

  • Retained for name, color, and distribution.

Pyrenean Columbine (Aquilegia pyrenaica)

Aquilegia pyrenaica

Europe, Central

  • German: Pyrenäen-Akelei
Europe, Southern
  • Italian: Aquilegia Dei Pirenei
  • Portuguese: Aquilégia-Dos-Pirenéus
Europe, Western
  • English: Pyrenean Columbine
  • French: Ancolie Des Pyrénées
  • Europe, Southern: Spain
  • Europe, Western: France

Biome: Grassland; Rocky areas.

Pyrenean columbine can reach a height of 10-30cm (4-12in). Its leaves are bluish-green a trifolate. The flowers are bright blue or lilac, and 3-5cm (1.2-2.0in) across. The petal-spurs of this species are are long, slender, and have very little curve. These flowers bloom from April to June.

The plant favors grassland and rocky areas at altitudes between 1,000-1,600m.

  • Retained for name and distribution.

* * * * * * *

Prestigious Plants

Other Ranunculales

[Img 01 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wald-Akelei.JPG]

[Img 02 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Columbines_in_The_Garden_of_Earthly_Delights.jpg]

[Img 03 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aquilegia_vulgaris,_Santa_Coloma_de_Farners_03.jpg]

[Img 04 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2014_07_Selva_di_Progno_(VR)_Italy_-_Giazza_-_Val_Fraselle_-_Aquilegia_alpina_-_Ctg_Baldo_Lessinia_org_photo_Paolo_Villa_FOTO6804.JPG]

[Img 05 - https://worldoffloweringplants.com/aquilegia-barbaricina-columbine/]

[Img 06 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Schwarzviolette_Akelei_(Aquilegia_atrata)_02.jpg]

[Img 07 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aquilegia_nigricans.jpg]

[Img 08 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aquilegia_bertolonii_Schott.JPG]

[Img 09 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aquilegia_flabellata_Orlik_wachlarzowaty_2022-05-03_02.jpg]

[Img 10 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ranunculaceae_-_Aquilegia_fragrans.JPG]

[Img 11 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aquilegia_viridiflora_(13744504584).jpg]

[Img 12 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ranunculaceae_-_Aquilegia_pyrenaica.jpg]

-Greenaway, Kate. Language of Flowers. George Routleage and Sons.

-Roux, Jessica. Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2020.

-Skinner, Charles M. "Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees, Fruits, and Plants : In All Ages and in All Climes : Skinner, Charles M. (Charles Montgomery), 1852-1907 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming." Internet Archive, Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott Co., 1 Jan. 1970, https://archive.org/details/mythslegendsoffl00skin.

-( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia )

-( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia_alpina )

-( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia_atrata )

-( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia_barbaricina )

-( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia_bertolonii )

-( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia_flabellata )

-( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia_fragrans )

-( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia_nigricans )

-( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia_pyrenaica )

-( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia_viridiflora )

-( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia_vulgaris )

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