Leaf
Barbara Mai, Tela Botanica · CC BY-SA 2.0
Columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris L.
Also known as: Granny's bonnet, European columbine
Family: Ranunculaceae
40 to 80 cm tall
Woodland edges, cool meadows, often on limestone soil
Flowering: May – July
Full sun
Part shade
Hardy to -15°C
❓ How do you recognise this plant?
Flowers with spurs curved into a hook — a floral architecture unique among our wild plants.
🍃 Leaves
Cut into three, each leaflet itself divided, slightly bluish
🌸 Flowers
Blue-violet (sometimes pink or white), five petals extended into curved spurs
🍎 Fruits
Cluster of small upright follicles
🪵 Bark
Herbaceous perennial with upright flowering stems.
🗺️ Distribution
Europe; fairly common in open woods, hedges and limestone meadows in France.
🐝 Value for pollinators
Flowers with a long nectar-bearing spur adapted to long-tongued bumblebees and hawk-moths.
✂️ Horticultural uses
Perennial borders, shaded edgings, cottage gardens; many cultivars in varied colours.
⚠️ Possible toxicity
Plant toxic if ingested; avoid eating any part, especially the seeds.
🌿 Other Ranunculaceae to discover
ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.
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