Rocky Mountain columbine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rocky Mountain columbine |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Aquilegia
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| Species: |
saximontana
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The Aquilegia saximontana, also known as the Rocky Mountain columbine or dwarf blue columbine, is a beautiful plant from the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It's a perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years.
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About the Rocky Mountain Columbine
This special columbine plant grows high up in the Rocky Mountains. You can find it in places called sub-alpine and alpine areas. These are high-altitude spots, usually between 3,300–4,000 m (10,800–13,100 ft) above sea level.
The A. saximontana blooms in July and August. Its flowers are a pretty mix of lavender and white. The whole plant is quite small, growing only about 5–25 cm (2.0–9.8 in) tall. This plant is native only to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, United States.
Telling Columbines Apart
Sometimes, people confuse A. saximontana with another columbine called Aquilegia coerulea var. coerulea. Both can have blue and white flowers and grow in the same areas.
But there's an easy way to tell them apart! Look at the "spur" on the back of their flowers. This is a long, hollow part that looks like a hook or a straight tube.
- A. saximontana has hooked spurs that are short, only about 3–9 mm (0.12–0.35 in) long.
- A. coerulea has straight spurs that are much longer, about 34–48 mm (1.3–1.9 in) in length.
Colorado's State Flower
There's a bit of a story about which columbine is the official state flower of Colorado. When the state flower was first chosen, the documents just said it was a lavender and white columbine. They didn't name a specific type.
Today, Aquilegia coerulea is known as the official state flower. However, some people think A. saximontana might have been the "original" state flower because it also fits the description of being lavender and white.
Protecting the State Flower
Colorado has special rules to protect its state flower. It's important for everyone to help keep the white and lavender columbine safe.
Here are some of the rules:
- You should not pull the columbine plant up by its roots. This is especially true if it's growing on state land, school land, or other public places.
- If you are on public land, you can only pick a small number of flowers. You are allowed to pick no more than twenty-five stems, buds, or blossoms in one day.
- If the columbine is growing on private land, you must ask the owner for permission before you pick any flowers.
These rules help make sure that the beautiful columbine flowers will be around for many years to come!
