Aquilegia ecalcarata | |
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At the Berlin Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum | |
A white-flowered specimen | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Ranunculales |
Family: | Ranunculaceae |
Genus: | Aquilegia |
Species: | A. ecalcarata |
Binomial name | |
Aquilegia ecalcarata | |
Synonyms [1] | |
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Aquilegia ecalcarata, the spurless columbine [2] or false columbine, [3] is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to central China. [1]
Aquilegia ecalcarata grows to 20–60 cm (7.9–23.6 in) (rarely 80 cm (31 in)) tall, with one to four downy stems and biternate basal leaves. The flowers are 15–28 mm (0.59–1.10 in) in diameter with sepals and petals, usually purple in colour and, uniquely among Aquilegia species, lacking a nectar spur. [4]
Because of its lack of nectar spurs, the species has previously been classified in the genus Semiaquilegia [2] or posited as an ancestor to the Aquilegia genus. [5] However, phylogenetic study suggests that it belongs to a Euro-Asiatic lineage of Aquilegia and is most closely related to another Chinese species Aquilegia yabeana , and therefore has likely lost its spurs over time, probably as a result of its being pollinated by hoverflies rather than bees. [5]
There is some evidence that the species may be polyphyletic and in fact consist of two lineages that independently evolved a spurless form. [6]
The specific epithet ecalcarata is Latin for "without spurs", from e- "without" and calcarata "spurred, having a spur", referring to the lack of nectar spurs in the species.
Aquilegia ecalcarata is endemic to central China, found in Gansu, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and eastern Tibet. It grows in stony environments along the slopes or peaks of mountains or by riversides, [6] and in sparse forests, scrub, and grassy slopes at altitudes of 1,800–3,500 m (5,900–11,500 ft). [4]
The species flowers in May to June [4] and is pollinated by hoverflies. [5] Although its habitat overlaps with that of Aquilegia incurvata and A. yabeana, the species have different pollinators and therefore have remained distinct and do not hybridize, an example of sympatric speciation. [5]
The species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List. [7]
As its synonym Semiaquilegia ecalcarata it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [8]
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 canadensis, the Canadian or Canada columbine, eastern red columbine, or wild columbine, is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. It is an herbaceous perennial native to woodland and rocky slopes in eastern North America, prized for its red and yellow flowers. It readily hybridizes with other species in the genus Aquilegia.
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".
Aquilegia grata is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to the northwestern Balkans.
Aquilegia chrysantha, the golden columbine, is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Aquilegia flavescens, the yellow columbine, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to the Rocky Mountains of the United States and Canada.
Aquilegia elegantula, the western red columbine, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
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 bertolonii, common name Bertoloni columbine or Bertoloni's columbine, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to Italy, southern France, and Slovenia.
Aquilegia pyrenaica, common name Pyrenean columbine, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae. It is endemic to the Pyrenees where it grows on grassland and in rocky places. It was first described in 1805 by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle who gave it the name Aquilegia pyrenaica.
Aquilegia longissima, the long-spur columbine or long-spurred columbine, is a rare perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae that is native to northern Mexico, Texas, and Arizona.
Aquilegia fragrans, the fragrant columbine or sweet-scented columbine, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to the Western Himalayas.
Aquilegia alpina, the alpine columbine or breath of God, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to the western and central Alps.
Aquilegia olympica is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to Turkey, Iran, and the Caucasus.
Aquilegia ottonis is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to Greece.
Aquilegia sibirica, the Siberian columbine, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae native to the north-central Asian regions of Siberia, northern Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Xinjiang. A hardy perennial plant, it prefers temperate environments. The Siberian columbine can be between 1 foot (0.30 m) and 2 feet (0.61 m) tall with flowers that are lilac-blue and white in color.
Aquilegia bernardii, common name Bernard's columbine, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to Corsica.
Aquilegia desertorum, the desert columbine, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to the southwestern United States.
Aquilegia glandulosa, the Altai columbine or Siberian columbine, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to northern and central Asia.
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.