Aquilegia sp.
Columbine, Columbine
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Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Aquilegia sp. (Columbine) is a non-native California perennial in the Ranunculaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Aquilegia sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Aquilegia sp. belong to?
Aquilegia sp. is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Aquilegia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.