General: Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) is a low-growing, leafy perennial forbs with upright flower stalks. The leaves are dissected into three lobes, and the yellow and red flowers have striking wings and tails.

Western Columbine is a common component of riparian communities (damp areas) in the mountains around Las Vegas where it can be found in the Upper Sonoran (Pinyon-Juniper Woodland), Transition (Yellow Pine Forest), and Canadian (Pine-Fir Forests) life zones. Look for this species in wet places in the Spring Mountains (Mt. Charleston), Grand Canyon, and Zion National Park.

Family: Buttercup (Ranunculaceae).

Other Names:

Plant Form: Low growing, leafy perennial forb with upright flower stalks.

Height: Leaves basal to 8 inches, flower stalk to about knee- or thigh-high.

Stems: Upright flowers stalks.

Leaves: Mostly basal, deeply 3-lobed.

Flowers: Blooms during summer. Inflorescence: raceme. Flowers radial; 5 petal-like sepals spread to the sides; 5 tubular petals, each with a spur projecting backwards between sepals.

Seeds: smooth, brown to black.

Habitat: Damp areas along streams or seeps.

Elevation: About 5,000 to 10,000 feet.

Distribution: Utah and Arizona to Texas.

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