Yellow Columbine

Aquilegia flavescens

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Genus:
Aquilegia
Species:
Aquilegia flavescens

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
2-3 ft
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
jun, jul, aug
Bloom Colors:
Yellow

Native Range

United States: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Prefers cool, mountainous regions

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are treated with gibberellic acid at 1,000 ppm for 24 hours. Then, they are rinsed in running water for 10 minutes and placed into a 60 day cold, moist stratification at 1 to 3 C.

Establishment: Follicles are collected in late August when they begin to split open. Seeds are easily extracted when follicles dehisce during drying. Seeds are shiny black at maturity. Capsules are kept in a well ventilated drying shed prior to cleaning.

Source: npn.rngr.net