| Aquilegia colchica | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus: | Aquilegia |
| Species: | A. colchica |
| Binomial name | |
| Aquilegia colchica | |
Aquilegia colchica is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to the Caucasus mountains in Georgia. [1] The plant blooms in spring with blue and white flowers. It is considered an endangered species in Georgia.
Aquilegia colchica is a perennial herb growing to 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall, [2] with sticky stems covered by characteristic silvery, downy hairs. [3] The basal leaves are biternate and covered with dense, light grey downy hairs, with leaflets of a rounded wedge shape. The flowers are solitary and two-coloured, blue and white, with sepals of a rounded lanceolate shape. [2] The petals are egg-shaped and blue or light blue, with a blue, strongly twisted, and downy nectar spur. [3]
The species was formally described by the Georgian botanist Liubov Kemularia-Nathadze in 1934 [1] from specimens collected in the gorge of the river Qvirila. [3] It can produce fertile hybrid offspring with another endemic Aquilegia species of the western Caucasus, Aquilegia gegica . [3]
The specific epithet colchica is taken from the classical placename Colchis, in the area to which the species is native. [4] The genus name Aquilegia may come from the Latin word for "eagle", aquila , in reference to the pedals' resemblance to eagle talons. [5]
Aquilegia colchica is endemic to Georgia, growing in rocky areas in the western Caucasus mountains. [2] Known populations include those in the gorges of the river Qvirila and its tributary, the Jruchula River. [3]
As of December 2024 [update] , the species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List. [6] It is nationally classed as an endangered species in Georgia. [3]
Aquilegia colchica flowers in spring. [2]
Aquilegia is a genus of about 130 species of perennial plants that are found in meadows, woodlands, and at higher elevations throughout the Northern Hemisphere, known for the spurred petals of their flowers.
Aquilegia coerulea, the Colorado columbine, Rocky Mountain columbine, or blue columbine, is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to the Rocky Mountains and some of the surrounding states of the western United States. It is the state flower of Colorado. The Latin specific name coerulea means "sky blue".
The Bzyb or Bzipi is one of the two largest rivers of Abkhazia and the twelfth longest river in Georgia. The river valley has rich biodiversity of herbaceous garden plants, particularly in the gorge section in the upper reaches where the most prominent and colourful bellflower Campanula mirabilis with profuse growth of 100 flowers per plant is given the name, the "Queen of the Abkhazian flora". During 1904-1917 it served as the border between the Russian Empire's Sukhumi Okrug and the Black Sea Governorate.
Aquilegia barbaricina, common name Barbaricina columbine, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae. It is endemic to Italy, occurring only on the island of Sardinia.
Aquilegia nuragica, commonly called Nuragica columbine, is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae. It is endemic to Italy, in a single canyon in the Supramonte mountain range on the island of Sardinia.
Aquilegia pubescens is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to the Sierra Nevada in California. It is usually known by the common name Sierra columbine, and less frequently as the alpine columbine or Coville's columbine.
Aquilegia chrysantha, the golden columbine, is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The plant, with a height of between 40 centimetres (16 in) and 120 centimetres (47 in), has yellow flowers. A. chrysantha. as with other members of the Aquilegia coerulea species complex, is evolved for pollination by hawkmoth. It favors moist environments in its mountainous range.
Aquilegia olympica is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to Turkey, Iran, and the Caucasus.
Aquilegia gegica is a species of flowering plant in the genus Aquilegia (columbine) in the family Ranunculaceae endemic to the western Transaucasus region in Abkhazia and Georgia. The plant's flower petals are light blue.
Aquilegia ecalcarata, the spurless columbine or false columbine, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to central China.
Aquilegia incurvata, or the Qinling columbine (秦岭耧斗菜), is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to the Qinling mountain range in China.
Aquilegia aradanica is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to Siberia.
Aquilegia barykinae is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to the Russian Far East. The species was first described in 2014. Its flowers are lilac-blue.
Aquilegia cazorlensis is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to southeastern Spain.
Aquilegia cossoniana is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to the Atlas Mountains in northwestern Africa.
Aquilegia cremnophila is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to Sardinia.
Aquilegia × cottia is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to the Alps of Italy and Austria. It is a natural hybrid of Aquilegia alpina and Aquilegia atrata.
Aquilegia daingolica is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to Mongolia. The plant's flowers are blue or violet-blue.
Aquilegia discolor, commonly known as the two-coloured columbine, is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to northwestern Spain.
Aquilegia grubovii is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to northern Mongolia and Tuva in Russia.