Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Ranunculaceae ⟩ Aquilegia vulgaris / columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris L.

columbine (Ranunculaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadSlight tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Aquilegia vulgaris is native in grasslands and woodland margins on calcareous soils, but is also a frequent garden escape.

Rax–Schneeberg group, Austria; 2013-06-30

 columbine / Aquilegia vulgaris: _Aquilegia vulgaris_ is native in grasslands and woodland margins on calcareous soils, but is also a frequent garden escape.

The flowers of Aquilegia are unmistakeable, resembling a ring of doves, the petal-spurs representing the head and neck, and the sepals representing the doves’ wings.

Tuscany, Italy; 2005-05-24

 columbine / Aquilegia vulgaris: The flowers of _Aquilegia_ are unmistakeable, resembling a ring of doves, the petal-spurs representing the head and neck, and the sepals representing the doves’ wings.

The shiny black seeds of Aquilegia vulgaris are borne in groups of 5 folllicles.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2017-06-19

 columbine / Aquilegia vulgaris: The shiny black seeds of _Aquilegia vulgaris_ are borne in groups of 5 folllicles.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne