Wild columbine, Fairy flower, Canada columbine, Meeting houses, Rock bells
Aquilegia canadensis

Family: Ranunculaceae

What it is like

A fine stemmed herb. It grows 60-90 cm high and spreads 30-35 cm wide. It grows from a thick rhizome or underground stem. The leaves are compound and divided into small segments. The flower stems are wiry. The flowers are lemon-yellow with red spurs. They are 3-5 cm across.

There are about 70 Aquilegia species.

Where it is found

It is frost hardy. It does best in rocky or woody conditions. It suits hardiness zones 2-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, North America, Slovenia, USA

How it is used for food

CAUTION: This plant is recorded as poisonous. The roots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They can also be sliced and fried. They can be dried and stored.

Edible parts

Flowers, root, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or by division of the roots. The seedlings are easy to transplant.

Its other names

Local names

Kanadska orlica

Synonyms

Aquilegia australis Small; and several others