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Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
Perennial Forbs Around Las Vegas, Vegetation Around Las Vegas
Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)

General: Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) is a low-growing, leafy perennial forbs with upright flower stalks. The leaves are dissected into three lobes, and the yellow and red flowers have striking wings and tails.

Western Columbine is a common component of riparian communities (damp areas) in the mountains around Las Vegas where it can be found in the Upper Sonoran (Pinyon-Juniper Woodland), Transition (Yellow Pine Forest), and Canadian (Pine-Fir Forests) life zones. Look for this species in wet places in the Spring Mountains (Mt. Charleston), Grand Canyon, and Zion National Park.

Family: Buttercup (Ranunculaceae).

Other Names:

Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)

Plant Form: Low growing, leafy perennial forb with upright flower stalks.

Height: Leaves basal to 8 inches, flower stalk to about knee- or thigh-high.

Stems: Upright flowers stalks.

Leaves: Mostly basal, deeply 3-lobed.

Flowers: Blooms during summer. Inflorescence: raceme. Flowers radial; 5 petal-like sepals spread to the sides; 5 tubular petals, each with a spur projecting backwards between sepals.

Seeds: smooth, brown to black.

Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)

Habitat: Damp areas along streams or seeps.

Elevation: About 5,000 to 10,000 feet.

Distribution: Utah and Arizona to Texas.

Comments:

Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate. Names generally follow the USDA database.
copyright; Last updated 211225

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