Aquilegia vulgaris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ranunculales Family: Ranunculaceae Genus: Aquilegia Species: A. vulgaris
Binomial name
Aquilegia vulgaris L.

Aquilegia vulgaris (European columbine, granny's nightcap) is a species of columbine native to Europe. It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 1.2 m tall, with branched, thinly hairy stems. The leaves are pinnate, with the basal leaflets themselves trifoliate.

Folklore

In traditional herbalism columbine was considered sacred to Venus; carrying a posy of it was said arouse the affections of a loved one. Nicholas Culpeper recommended it to ease the pains of childbirth. In modern herbal medicine it is used as an astringent and diuretic.^[1]

Plants growing in natural habitat

Close-up of flowers

references

1. Howard, Michael. Traditional Herbal Remedies (Century, 1987), p.124

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Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Aquilegia vulgaris". Image Credit.

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