[Reprinted from Journal of the New York Botanical Garden, Aug., 1912.J 



WILD PLANTS NEEDING PROTECTION.i 



4. "Wild Columbine" {Aquilegia canadensis L.). 



(With Plate XCVIU.) 



Nodding in the cool winds of spring-time, and so lightly poised 

 on its slender stems, that it is almost impossible to take its 

 photograph, the wild columbine adorns the rocks and ledges in 

 May with its gay, red and yellow blossoms and occasionally is 

 found in fields at middle elevations where it blooms until July. 

 The flowers are pendent, about 1-2 inches long, bright red, the 

 five short red sepals overlapping five tubular spurs which ter- 

 minate below in thickened honey-sacs and broaden out above 

 into five short yellow petals attached around a long-exserted, 

 cluster of slender yellow stamens, about fifty in number. These 

 are attached in five rows to a disc at the base of the ovaries, 

 which are five in number and hairy with five long slender styles; 

 they develop into five follicles with long spreading points. Each 

 follicle contains about fifteen shining black seeds attached along 

 the ventral suture. 



The basal leaves are pale green beneath, three-parted and each 

 leaflet again divided into three, toothed lobes; smaller, short- 

 stalked, simpler leaves also grow on the flower stalks and diminish 

 into bracts above. The stems vary in height from one to two 

 feet and are smooth or slightly hairy above. The root is fibrous 

 and easily uprooted and for this reason the plant largely depends 

 on its seeds for reproduction and is likely to be quickly exter- 



' Illustrated by the aid of the Stokes Fund for the Preservation of Native Plants. 



