Aquilegia formosa (Crimson columbine)
Credit: Scott Hodges
about the species
Aquilegia formosa has striking pendant flowers. Each of the five petals forms a long tube with a nectary at the tip, the nectar spur. These spurs are scarlet red and the blade, at the opening, is bright yellow. It is primarily pollinated by hummingbirds. This species is wide-spread in western North American from Baja California to Alaska. In California it occurs from sea level along the coast to 3,000 m (10,000 ft). It occurs in wet areas such as streambanks and seeps.
why species was selected
Being a widespread species, Aquilegia formosa provides a natural comparison with its more ecologically restricted sister species, A. eximia and A. pubescens (both also being studied by the CCGP). In addition, its pollination by hummingbirds will provide comparisons with other widespread plant taxa being studied that have different pollination systems.
