Aquilegia formosa
Ranunculaceae
Red Columbine
Upright plant with spreading branches. Basal and lower stem leaves on petioles 1–12 in., divided 2 or 3 times; upper leaves sessile or nearly so. Flowers nodding, bright red, with some yellow; 5 straight to inward-curved spurs with rounded tips. Grows in moist, open to partly shaded areas from coastline to subalpine meadows. Very attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Closely resembles the eastern red columbine, A. canadensis.
- Rarity: Common
- Flowering Time: Early Spring, Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer
- Flower Form: 5 United Petals, Ovary Inferior
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Height: 8–48 inches
- Habitat: Coastal, East-side Forest, Meadow, Subalpine, West-side Forest
- Found In: Crater Lake NP, Mt. Rainier NP, N Cascades NP, Olympic NP, Siskiyous, Steens, Wallowas, West Gorge
- Native: Yes
- Also Known As: Sitka Columbine
