Aquilegia desertorum, the desert columbine, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to the southwestern United States.[2]
| Aquilegia desertorum | |
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| Flower | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus: | Aquilegia |
| Species: | A. desertorum
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| Binomial name | |
| Aquilegia desertorum | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
editThe desert columbine is a small species growing to 15–30 cm (5.9–11.8 in) in height, and has nodding red flowers with yellow centre petals. The stamens extend beyond the centre petals, and are yellow in colour. The flower spurs are red in colour, broad at the base, and straight.[3] Unlike most other columbine species, it does not have an upright habit.[4]
Taxonomy
editAquilegia desertorum is very close to Aquilegia canadensis and may not be truly distinct at species level. Plants from the eastern and southern parts of its range have sometimes been considered a distinct species, Aquilegia triternata, largely based on their longer sepals and petal blades, but in central Arizona the two varieties become hard to distinguish,[5] and A. triternata is therefore usually considered a synonym of A. desertorum.[2]
Etymology
editThe specific epithet desertorum is Latin for "of the desert", being the genitive masculine/neuter plural of desertus.[citation needed]
Distribution and habitat
editAquilegia desertorum is native to New Mexico, Arizona, and southwest Utah.[2] It inhabits open rocky limestone[4] areas at altitudes of 2,000–2,500 m (6,600–8,200 ft), where seepage or other moisture is present.[5][3]
Ecology
editThe flowering period is from May to October.[5] The species is primarily pollinated by hummingbirds.[3]
Conservation
editAs of October 2024[update], NatureServe listed Aquilegia desertorum as Apparently secure (G4) overall and in Arizona, but Critically Imperiled (S1) in Utah and in the Navajo Nation.[1]
Uses
editThe Kayenta Navajo used Aquilegia desertorum as an aid in ceremonies.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b NatureServe. "Aquilegia desertorum". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Aquilegia desertorum (M.E.Jones) Cockerell ex A.Heller". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ a b c "Aquilegia desertorum, desert columbine". U.S. Forest Service. USDA. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ a b Love, Steven. "Desert Columbine in the Landscape". Native Plants for the Intermountain West. University of Wyoming Extension. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d Whittemore, Alan T. (1997). "Aquilegia desertorum". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). Vol. 3. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved 31 October 2024 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
External links
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Media related to Aquilegia desertorum at Wikimedia Commons
