Columbine – Aquilegia vulgaris

Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) is sometimes known as European columbine, Common columbine, Granny’s nightcap or Granny’s bonnet and is a member of the Ranunculus family. It can reach a height of 1.2 meters tall, with thinly haired branches and stem.  The flower can be various shades of purple, blue, pink and white and the hooked spurs appear at the beginning of summer.

This plant is poisonous if ingested any part including the seeds. If the seeds are crushed into a powder, they are very effective at killing lice. It has said to be possible, if inhaled, the crushed seeds or absorbing oils from the plant may cause posioning but not enough to cause death in a mammal as small as a mouse.

Height: Up to 100 cm
Flowering Time: May to July
Preferred Conditions: Prefers to grow in damp soils and is often found on cliffs, meadows and wastelands.

Columbine - Aquilegia vulgaris