Aquilegia pubescens (Sierra Columbine)
Credit: Jason Johns
about the species
Aquilegia pubescens has very showy upright flowers that are white, yellow or light pink. Each petal has a long tubular nectar spur and the species is primarily pollinated by hawkmoths. It is a California endemic species only occurring in the southern portion of the Sierra Nevada at high altitude, primarily above treeline (2,600 – 3,650 m) on rocky open slopes. Near treeline it sometimes comes in close proximity with A. formosa and natural hybrid zones are formed.
why species was selected
Global warming will heavily impact alpine species as this habitat is unable to shift to higher altitudes. One representative species of high elevation alpine adaptation is Aquilegia pubescens, which will be an important representative for connectivity and genetic diversity in alpine plants.
