Aquilegia vulgaris Columbine PFAF Plant Database

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Aquilegia vulgaris - L.

Common Name

Columbine

Family

Ranunculaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

The plant is poisonous though the toxins are destroyed by heat or by drying[7, 19]. Although this plant contains alkaloids, no cases of poisoning to humans or other mammals have been recorded[76].

Habitats

Moist shady positions, especially on calcareous soils or fenland peat[7, 17, 31].

Range

Central and southern Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and Temperate China.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Aquilegia vulgaris is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Apr to July, and the seeds ripen from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aquilegia_vulgaris.jpg

(c) 2010 Ken Fern & Plants For A Future

Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers. Edible Uses: Tea. Flowers - raw. Rich in nectar, they are sweet and delightful[172], they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can also be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden[K]. The flowers are also used as a tea substitute[177].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antianxiety; Astringent; Depurative; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Homeopathy; Parasiticide; Parasiticide.

Columbine was formerly employed in herbal medicine mainly for its antiscorbutic effect, but it has fallen out of favour and is little used nowadays[268]. The leaves root and seed are astringent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, parasiticide[4, 7, 9, 19, 21]. Because of its toxic properties, this plant should not be taken internally without expert advice, though the root is sometimes used externally in poultices to treat ulcers and the commoner skin diseases[7, 268]. The plant can be harvested at any time from June to October[7]. Columbine has produced very unsatisfactory results and is not normally used medicinally[4]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[7]. It is used in the treatment of affections of the nervous system[7].

Other Uses
Parasiticide; Parasiticide. The seed is used as a parasiticide to rid the hair of lice[172]. The dried and crushed seed is used to kill external body parasites[53].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sunny position[1]. Thrives in partial shade[1, 111]. Intolerant of heavy clay[200]. Plants are hardy to at least -25°c[187]. Whilst the blue-flowered forms of this species have no scent, white flowered forms have a soft clove scent in order to attract pollinating insects[245]. Most species are short-lived, dying out after 2 - 3 years, though they usually produce seed prolifically[200]. This species usually self-sows freely in the garden, it is very apt to hybridize with other members of the genus and usually becomes the dominant partner in any hybridization[200]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54, 201]. It also attracts red spider mites to the garden, these can then move on to other crops such as apples, pears and strawberries[201]. It grows well with rhubarb[201].

Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be slow to germinate[200]. Stored seed can be sown in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring[200].

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
17200

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[4]Grieve. A Modern Herbal.

Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[7]Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.

Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[9]Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants.

Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.

[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.

A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[19]Stary. F. Poisonous Plants.

Not very comprehensive, but easy reading.

[21]Lust. J. The Herb Book.

Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.

[31]Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

[53]De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.

Interesting reading.

[54]Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds.

Interesting reading.

[111]Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials.

A fairly wide range of perennial plants that can be grown in Britain and how to grow them.

[172]Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

A nice guide to some useful plants in that area.

[177]Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption.

An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[187]Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2.

Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[201]Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting.

A well produced and very readable book.

[233]Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants

A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

[245]Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World.

An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

[268]Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism

Excellent herbal with good concise information on over 400 herbs.

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