I've noticed over the years that this is usually misnamed in a lot of collections. Since it is the Avatar (so to speak) of the Rocky Mountain Chapter (we all know the real thing!) I thought it would be good to post this picture that really shows the distinguishing characteristics. It is widely distributed, but never common, right at treeline on the mountains visible from the Denver area: a range of maybe 150 miles: on a clear day I feel as though I could pick it out from my front door...
It isn't the smallest, showiest or rarest columbine. But it may be the cutest!
Comments
Richard T. Rodich
Lori S. wrote:
Tue, 08/27/2013 - 8:00pm[quote=Lori S.]
I think both Rick and I thought you were referring to them going dormant during the summer, prior to the onset of killing frost...
[/quote]
That's exactly what I was thinking.
But I think I get it now, David. You're right that seedlings often react differently than mature plants. Of course, one can never go wrong by mimicking the natural environment, but whether or not altering it would be beneficial, I don't know. I think it is pretty common for seedlings to seem to not take on winter dormancy characteristics that we expect, yet they are ready for the change. For instance, a seedling that seems to be evergreen, when other mature plants of the same species have shed their leaves.
Richard T. Rodich
Ha!
Fri, 03/28/2014 - 9:38amHa!
Looks like a mutt, to me. The real thing, apparently, isn't that common in seed exchanges.
Lori S. (not verified)
I'd like to hear Mark's
Fri, 03/28/2014 - 4:25pmI'd like to hear Mark's opinion but after reviewing all the info on S. saximontana that he posted previously in this thread, I'd also guess it's a hybrid of A. saximontana, given the anomalous spur form and the gradual shading from blue to white on the corolla. What do you say, Mark?
Mark McDonough
I agree with Lori and Rick,
Sun, 03/30/2014 - 1:48pmI agree with Lori and Rick, looks like a hybrid to me as well, it has the "court jester shoe" coil at the end of the spurs like flabellata does, but not quite so strongly coiled as usual, which leads me to suspect a hybrid, closer to flabellata. The spurs head more or less straight back on David's plant, versus the narrower divergent slightly-arched spurs on saximontana that spread outwards, without a coiled end. These two links show the spur differences:
A. flabellata
http://www.kiksi.lv/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Aquilegia-flabellata.jpg
A. saximontana
https://www.nargs.org/comment/3606#comment-3606
https://www.nargs.org/comment/3601#comment-3601
Court jester shows, remind me of coiled spur tips on Aquilegia flabellata.
http://www.ocostumes.com/htc/15ha02ry.jpg
https://www.heritagecostumes.com/secure/images/products/5061.jpg
deesen (not verified)
Mark, thanks for that, I'm
Sun, 03/30/2014 - 2:42pmMark, thanks for that, I'm grateful to you for your time. it's still a pretty little thing though and I like it a lot. I shall have to contact all the people I've given seedlings to.
Mark McDonough
My pleasure David, I'm always
Sun, 03/30/2014 - 4:50pmMy pleasure David, I'm always up for a little mystery. It is indeed a pretty little columbine.
Christine Boulby
Can anyone tell me whether
Thu, 06/12/2014 - 7:52amCan anyone tell me whether this A. saximontana please?
Lori S. (not verified)
It doesn't look like it,
Thu, 06/12/2014 - 8:04pmIt doesn't look like it, compared to the splayed "court jester" spurs of the real thing (shown in previous photos in this thread).
deesen (not verified)
Join the club Chris (No It's
Fri, 06/13/2014 - 1:27amJoin the club Chris (No It's Not Aquilegia Saximontana Society)
Christine Boulby
Well, look who's here... Nice
Fri, 06/13/2014 - 6:01amWell, look who's here... Nice to meet you Mr Nicholson!
Thanks very much Lori, I'll have to try more seed...
Mark McDonough
Hello Chris, I will second
Fri, 06/13/2014 - 10:10amHello Chris, I will second Lori's opinion, it is not A. saximontana, but it is still a lovely little columbine all the same.
, although I am a member of "80% of Penstemon Seed in Seedexes is hirsutus" club.
David, I wasn't aware of that club, will have to look it up and join
deesen (not verified)
Fri, 06/13/2014 - 11:34amI'm about to join that one too Mark.
Christine Boulby
Hey ho, I like it anyway so
Fri, 06/13/2014 - 12:23pmHey ho, I like it anyway so it will stay in its trough and live happily ever after. It's not that bovvered that it doesn't have a name... Thanks for your help! Good to find there's another good forum to browse...
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