Wild Columbine: Aquilegia canadensis

This Wild Columbine, also known as Rock Bells, native plant was painted in watercolour. The single, yet complicated, blooms emerge on a long stalk as tubular pink-red spurs in an upwardly direction. Hummingbirds, bees, and moths enjoy feeding on the nectar.

The Latin name “aquilegus” means “which collects water” because of the bell-shaped flowers. The spurred petals also resemble an eagle’s spreading talons, derived from “aquila” the Latin word for “eagle”. The silhouette of the flower is often preferred to be seen as a “dove” and also called “columbina” or “dove flower” resembling a dove in flight. It is related to the Clematis, Peony, and Buttercup.

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