- Aquilegia vulgaris
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Aquilegia vulgaris 
Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ranunculales Family: Ranunculaceae Genus: Aquilegia Species: A. vulgaris Binomial name Aquilegia vulgaris
L.Aquilegia vulgaris (European Columbine, Common Columbine or Granny's Nightcap) is a species of columbine native to Europe.
Contents
Description
It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 1.2 m tall, with branched, thinly hairy stems. The leaves are pinnate, with the basal leaflets themselves trifoliate.
Cultivation
Cultivars include the Barlow series (Nora Barlow, Black Barlow, Rose Barlow, Christa Barlow), Pretty Bonnets. Seeds may be sold as mixtures.
Folklore
In traditional herbalism columbine was considered sacred to Venus; carrying a posy of it was said arouse the affections of a loved one. Nicholas Culpeper recommended it to ease the pains of childbirth. In modern herbal medicine it is used as an astringent and diuretic.[1]
Toxicity
The plant is a member of the poisonous Ranunculus family. The dried crushed seeds made into a dusting powder will kill lice very effectively. It is possible that inhaling the crushed seeds dust or otherwise absorbing oils from them may cause poisoning or at minimum exhibit symptoms of poisoning.
Gallery
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Plants growing in natural habitat
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Close-up of flowers
References
- ^ Howard, Michael. Traditional Herbal Remedies (Century, 1987), p.124
Categories:- Aquilegia
- Flora of Europe
- Flora of the United Kingdom
- Medicinal plants
- Ranunculales stubs
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