Aquilegia pubescens
Sierra columbine
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Aquilegia pubescens (Sierra columbine) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by (A. formosa). Key differences: high elevation, cream/yellow/pink flowers, very long spurs.
Sierra columbine is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on open, rocky slopes, in subalpine forest, and alpine areas at elevations of 2,600 to 3,650 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces cream to yellow or pink flowers with distinctive spurs 25 to 50 millimeters long, creating an elegant hanging profile. Growing 15 to 50 centimeters tall with spreading to erect flowers, it forms delicate clumps with finely divided leaves. Its basal and lower stem leaves are intricately divided into multiple leaflets, typically 10 to 25 millimeters long, creating a lacy, light green foliage. The flowers feature cream to yellow or pink sepals 10 to 24 millimeters long, with rounded petal mouths that elegantly frame the plant's reproductive structures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (A. formosa). Key differences: high elevation, cream/yellow/pink flowers, very long spurs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, generally rocky slopes, scrub, subalpine forest, alpine
Elevation: 2600-3650 m
California counties: Tulare, Mariposa, Fresno, Mono, Inyo, Tuolumne, Madera, Marin
Bloom period
Aquilegia pubescens blooms Jul-Aug.
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 pubescens native to California?
Yes. Aquilegia pubescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Aquilegia pubescens bloom?
Aquilegia pubescens blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Aquilegia pubescens grow?
Aquilegia pubescens occurs in Tulare, Mariposa, Fresno, Mono, Inyo, Tuolumne, Madera, Marin, at elevations of 2600-3650 m.
What plant family does Aquilegia pubescens belong to?
Aquilegia pubescens is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Aquilegia.
What habitat does Aquilegia pubescens grow in?
Aquilegia pubescens grows in Open, generally rocky slopes, scrub, subalpine forest, alpine.
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.