[Columbines: The Genus Aquilegia in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Yellow Columbine

Aquilegia flavescens

Synonyms: Aquilegia flavescens var. flavescens, Aquilegia flavescens var. miniata, Aquilegia formosa var. flavescens

The photo above shows yellow columbine as photographed along Hat Point Road in Hells Canyon NRA of northeastern Oregon.........June 26, 2007.

Characteristics:

Yellow columbine is a close relative of the red columbine. Where their ranges overlap, they may hybridize and create interesting offspring to confuse even the more adept botanists!

The leaves are largely basal, and are divided into multiples of three leaflets. These smaller leaflets are further lobed. (see photo below!) The stem leaves are alternate, and smaller representatives of the basal leaves.

The flowers are irregularly shaped, with five yellow sepals flared to the sides, and five smaller yellow petals extending below the petals. The petals also consist of a a long conical, nectar producing spur which extends above the sepals. The stamens typically dangle below the petals. The whole flower tends to nod downward, with the spurs pointing upwards. The flowers of the yellow columbine tend to be smaller than those of the red columbine.

Habitat:

Yellow columbine is a plant of moist open woods and rocky meadows.

Range:

Yellow columbine is found from southern British Columbia along the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains of Washington, and extends eastward to mountainous areas in eastern Washington and northeastern Oregon. It generally is found east of the base of the Cascade Mts. but is found occasionally into the Wenatchee Mountains.

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Yellow columbine blooming along the Lick Creek Trail #1809, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area......July 17, 2019.

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Yellow columbine as seen from the Frances Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness, northeastern Oregon..........late July, 1997.

Leaf of Yellow Columbine: Aquilegia flavescens (Synonyms: Aquilegia flavescens var. flavescens, Aquilegia flavescens var. miniata, Aquilegia formosa var. flavescens)

The photo above shows the basal leaf of the yellow columbine as seen from the Frances Lake Trail, Eagle Cap Wilderness, northeastern Oregon..........late July, 1997.

Paul Slichter