Picture of the Day for July 9, 2021

The native wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) dangling blooms provide food for the ruby throated hummingbirds and other pollinators. The flower stalk grows one to three feet tall with one to two inch flowers. The genus name Aquilegia is derived from the Latin word for eagle as the flower petals resemble an eagle’s sharp talons. And its common name of columbine comes from the Latin for dove as the flower petals looks like five doves nested together. So looking like an eagle or dove might depend on how far the blossom is open as this one looks more claw than dove to me.

Wild Columbine

Wild Columbine

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