| Aquilegia cremnophila | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus: | Aquilegia |
| Species: | A. cremnophila |
| Binomial name | |
| Aquilegia cremnophila | |
Aquilegia cremnophila is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to Sardinia. [1]
Aquilegia cremnophila is a perennial herb growing to 24–30 cm (9–12 in) tall, with some plants only reaching 18 cm (7.1 in). It has 2–3 pubescent stems which branch at ground level. The basal leaves are covered with downy or woolly hairs and biternate (rarely ternate). The plant produces 4–10 flowers of 48.5–54.5 mm (1.9–2.1 in) diameter, with blue-violet or occasionally lilac sepals measuring 20–26 mm (0.8–1.0 in) long. The petals are the same colour as the sepals, sometimes lilac-coloured inside, and measure 12–16.5 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long with a rounded tip. The nectar spurs are funnel-shaped, curved or slightly hooked, and 14–17.5 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long. [2]
Aquilegia cremnophila is closely related to Aquilegia nugorensis and Aquilegia nuragica , species occurring in the same Sardinian territories, although it is clearly differentiated from them genetically, in morphology, and in habitat. It was at first doubtfully attributed to A. nugorensis in 2010 before being formally described as a separated species in 2012. [2]
The specific epithet cremnophila means "liking steep slopes or precipices", referring to the plant's habitat. [3]
Aquilegia cremnophila is endemic to the upper slopes of Monte Corrasi in eastern Sardinia, at altitudes of 1,300–1,420 m (4,270–4,660 ft). It grows in shady rock crevices on Mesozoic dolomitic limestones. [2]
As of December 2024 [update] , the species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List. [4] Only 250–1000 mature individuals are thought to exist, in four population nuclei within a total area measuring less than 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi). The main current threat is grazing by goats and mouflon, although the population is believed to be stable. As the species is geographically and numerically limited, Bacchetta et al. in their formal description in 2012 suggested it be classed as Vulnerable (VU). [2]
Aquilegia cremnophila flowers from late May to June, and fruits from July to August. It belongs to a plant community adapted to rocky habitats and rich in Sardinian and Corsican-Sardinian endemic species, including Armeria morisii (thrift or sea pink), Campanula forsythii (bellflower), Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. semiperfoliata (wood spurge), and Hieracium supramontanum (hawkweed). [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.
Lamyropsis microcephala is a species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It is found only on the Italian island of Sardinia. Its natural habitat is Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation. It is threatened by habitat loss.
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 eximia, the serpentine columbine or Van Houtte's columbine, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to California.
Aquilegia micrantha var. grahamii, common name Graham's columbine, is a variety of perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to Utah in the United States.
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 lactiflora is a perennial species of plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to Central Asia and the Himalayas.
Aquilegia litardierei is a perennial species of plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to Corsica.
Aquilegia aradanica is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to Siberia.
Aquilegia aragonensis is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to northern Spain.
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 bashahrica is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to the Himalayas.
Aquilegia cazorlensis is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to southeastern Spain.
Aquilegia cymosa is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to Pakistan.
Aquilegia daingolica is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to Mongolia. The plant's flowers are blue or violet-blue.
Aquilegia dumeticola is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to southeastern Europe.
Aquilegia ganboldii is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to Mongolia, northeast China, North Korea, and Siberia.
Aquilegia grubovii is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to northern Mongolia and Tuva in Russia.
Aquilegia hebeica is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to northern China.