DESCRIPTION

Herbaceous plant, 15 to 50 cm high, usually unbranched, hairy in upper part. Limb of long-stalked basal leaves divided into 3 tripartite penises; edge deeply toothed, but rounded. Some small alternate leaves on the stem. At the end of the stem, 1 to 3 flowers of an intense blue and 5 to 8 cm in diameter on peduncles with fine hair. Outdoor petals ending in a green tip; inner petals slightly shorter and bearing a long curved spur.

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HISTORY

It was formerly used as a diuretic and antiscorbutic. The name Aquilegia (from the Latin aquila meaning eagle) would evoke its eagle-shaped spurs.

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HABITAT

Rare in the Central Western Alps; scrub and mountain pastures; on moist limestone soils; between 1500 and 2500 m altitude.

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PARTICULARITIES

The great columbine of the Alps is a majestic flower whose delicacy of petals and the particular and sophisticated shape of the flower does not leave indifferent. One of the most beautiful flowers of our mountains. The flower of the columbine is unique: it is symmetrical axial with its 5 spurs, while normally a flower has only one spur. In the bent end of the spur is the nectariferous gland with abundant secretion that only elongated horned insects, bumblebees, and butterflies can reach. Bees are content with pollen. The whole flower, which contains a glycoside of hydrocyanic acid, is very poisonous. In pastures, cows avoid it.

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THREAT

This flower is protected, do not pick it ! Moreover, it is very toxic.

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