Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database

Kingdom Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass Magnoliidae

Order Ranunculales

Family Ranunculaceae – Buttercup family

Genus Aquilegia L. – columbine

Species Aquilegia formosa Fisch. ex DC. – western columbine

An elegant perennial, nodding red flowers distinguish this elegant plant from the Blue Columbine, whose flowers are held erect.

Hummingbirds and butterflies thrive on columbine nectar.

This is a beautiful, delightful flower reaching to about 2' tall. A fine native for every garden, Red Columbine is native along the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Baja, California and east into Utah (USDA 7-10).

This columbine needs regular water but is otherwise very adaptable. Given that this species is common in the countryside, usually twining its way to the sun from amidst bushes and brambles, its water requirements are successfully met by that which falls from the sky naturally. I think having its feet shaded gives it an assist in the moisture department.

Natives groups used Red Columbine medicinally.