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Aquilegia formosa  Fisch. ex DC.
Crimson columbine,   Sitka columbine,   Western columbine
© 2022 Charles Russell
© 2019 Diane Etchison
© 2022 David Strauch
© 2021 Emily Sluiman
© 2019 Joe Engelbrecht
© 2020 David Self
© 2024 Mary Ann Machi
© 2019 Aaron Echols
© 2024 Mary Ann Machi
© 2019 Michelle Bosch
© 2019 Mary Gerbic
© 2014 James Gonsman
© 2013 James Gonsman
© 2013 James Gonsman
© 2020 Iuliia Lytvynova
© 2016 Jim Moore
© 2024 Mary Ann Machi
© 2024 Mary Ann Machi
© 2024 Mary Ann Machi
© 2019 Diane Etchison
© 2020 G Froelich
© 2020 James Gonsman
© 2019 Bob Sweatt
© 2019 Bob Case
© 2009 Julie A. Kierstead
© 2022 Suzanne L. Weakley
© 2022 Jerry Murray
© 2021 Jamie Spielmann
© 2021 Jamie Spielmann
© 2023 Suzanne L. Weakley
© 2018 Tina Curiel
© 2016 Ron Vanderhoff
Aquilegia formosa is a perennial herb that is native to California, and also found elsewhere in North America and beyond.
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
DJJJASONAFMM

Bloom Period
Genus: Aquilegia
Family: Ranunculaceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: eudicot

Wetlands: Equally likely to occur in wetlands and non wetlands

Communities: Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Subalpine Forest, Chaparral, Northern Juniper Woodland, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, wetland-riparian, many plant communities

Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + JEF + PLANTS + POWO
Alternate Names:
JEFAquilegia formosa f. anomala
PLANTSAquilegia formosa var. communis
PLANTSAquilegia formosa var. fosteri
JEF + PLANTSAquilegia formosa var. hypolasia
PLANTSAquilegia formosa var. megalantha
More …
Information about  Aquilegia formosa from other sources
Nursery availability from CNPLX
This plant is available commercially.
Jepson eFlora

USDA PLANTS Profile (AQFO)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

ID Tips on PlantID.net

Learn more about Aquilegia formosa: Aquilegia formosa Jepson video: (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/29/2025).