Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Wild Columbine
(Red Columbine)
Aquilegia canadensis
[C-value
6]
Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae)
Blooms mid-April -
mid-July
The lovely native Wild Columbine is uncommon in our area. It prefers light shade to partial sun and moist to dry soil. Habitats include open woodlands, wooded slopes, and partially shaded areas of fens and bogs. This perennial is 1-3' tall and sparingly branched with round hairless stems. The alternate leaves along the stems are 3-lobed, up to 3" long and 2" across and long stalked. The upper stems produce nodding flowers about 1˝" long having 5 red or pinkish-red spurs and blades enclosing a fancy yellow-cream interior.
Wild Columbine at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve May 9, 2015
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Wild Columbine at Millbrook South Forest Preserve in woods near river May 24, 2013
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Wild Columbine foliage at Subat Forest Preserve May 13, 2017
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Wild Columbine at Lyon Forest Preserve May 25, 2017
Native Americans crushed the seeds of Wild Columbine to make a perfume or “love charm”. The roots and seeds were processed to make treatments for headaches, fevers and heart troubles. Reminder: see our Do Not Disturb Notice.
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