Aquilegia eximia
Serpentine columbine
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Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Aquilegia eximia (Serpentine columbine) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by (A. formosa). Key differences: densely glandular vs glabrous/glaucous, serpentine habitat.
Serpentine columbine is a California native perennial found in the North Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area, southern Coast Ranges, and western Transverse Ranges in serpentine seeps and mixed-evergreen forests at elevations of 100 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces striking red flowers with yellow stamens, featuring long spurs 12 to 25 millimeters in length and distinctive elliptic to triangular flower mouths. Growing with glandular stems 20 to 160 centimeters tall, it develops dense, complex foliage with lower leaves that are 2 to 3-ternate and upper leaves often simply lobed. Its leaves have intricate compound structures with leaflets 8 to 35 millimeters long, arranged on petioles up to 30 centimeters in length. The plant produces elongated fruit capsules 15 to 25 millimeters long with a pronounced beak 12 to 20 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (A. formosa). Key differences: densely glandular vs glabrous/glaucous, serpentine habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally serpentine seeps, occasionally moist ravines, mixed-evergreen or conifer forests
Elevation: 100-1800 m
California counties: Monterey, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Ventura, Lake, Marin, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Napa, Colusa, El Dorado, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Santa Barbara, Trinity, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Contra Costa, Sierra, Tehama, Fresno, San Bernardino, Plumas, Glenn
Bloom period
Aquilegia eximia blooms May-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Delphinium: Aquilegia has spurs on petals with nodding flowers; Delphinium has a single spur on the upper sepal with upright flower spikes.; vs Thalictrum: Aquilegia has large showy spurred flowers; Thalictrum has tiny flowers without petals in airy clusters.; vs Ribes: Aquilegia is an herb with spurred flowers; Ribes is a shrub with flowers in hanging clusters and berries.; vs Lomatium: Aquilegia has spurred flowers with separate petals; Lomatium has tiny flowers in compound umbels with divided leaves.; vs Clematis: Aquilegia has spurred petals on an upright herb; Clematis is a woody vine with four flat sepals and no spurs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aquilegia eximia native to California?
Yes. Aquilegia eximia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Aquilegia eximia bloom?
Aquilegia eximia blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Aquilegia eximia grow?
Aquilegia eximia occurs in Monterey, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Ventura, Lake, Marin, Santa Cruz and other counties, at elevations of 100-1800 m.
What plant family does Aquilegia eximia belong to?
Aquilegia eximia is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Aquilegia.
What habitat does Aquilegia eximia grow in?
Aquilegia eximia grows in Generally serpentine seeps, occasionally moist ravines, mixed-evergreen or conifer forests.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.