Aquilegia eximia (Van Houtte’s Columbine)
Credit: Scott Hodges
about the species
Aquilegia eximia is an edaphic specialist, primarily occurring on serpentine seeps. It is a California endemic species and only found in the central coast ranges. A. eximia has striking pendent flowers similar to its progenitor species, the widespread A. formosa. However, the flowers of A. eximia are larger, have broader nectar spurs and have longer stamens and styles. As a consequence, even though hummingbirds pollinate both species, pollen is placed on different positions of their bodies.
why species was selected
Serpentine soil has a highly unusual chemical composition resulting in an especially harsh habitat. Most plants cannot grow on this soil and either will not germinate or quickly die if they do. As serpentine soils only account for approximately 1% of the landscape, serpentine-adapted species represent some of the most rare and endangered plant species in California. Aquilegia eximia will provide an important exemplar for these species and will be compared with its widespread progenitor species, A. formosa.
