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European Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris

Found in disturbed areas, recently appearing in natural areas (such as grassy balds, in thin soils around rock outcrops). Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

—
Not native

Not native to West Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 53%

Light
Partial shade, Full sun
Soil moisture
Dry to wet

At a glance

Bloom
April to June

Not yet recorded · Height · Spread · Life cycle · Leaves

This plant is missing most of its facts, so Quercus is looking them up in old botany books.

Recorded in 1 West Virginia county.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

9CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including WV

Genus host records with ranges including WV · Aquilegia

  • Aethalura intertextaFour-Barred Gray
  • Chloridea virescensTobacco Budworm Moth
  • Ectropis crepusculariaThe Small Engrailed, Saddleback Looper
  • Eosphoropteryx thyatyroidesPink-Patched Looper Moth
  • Gesta baptisiaeWild Indigo Duskywing, Baptisia Duskywing
  • Gesta luciliusColumbine Duskywing
  • Papaipema leucostigmaColumbine Borer
  • Pyrrhia ciliscaAmerican Bordered Sallow, Noble Sun Moth
  • Pyrrhia exprimensPurple-Lined Sallow, Purple-Lined Sun Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Ranunculaceae

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Garden Columbine

Conservation status

West Virginia rankSNA
Global rankGNR
WV statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources