COLORADO COLUMBINE 



This Western Columbine seems to be the Red Columbine of 

 the East that has suffered a mountain change; or what is more 

 probable the two are brothers, only one has been developed in 

 the East and the other in the West. The Eastern form loves the 

 rocks, the Western makes the valleys gay. The Western bears 

 more gold in its petals; they are usually edged as well as lined with 

 yellow. Its spurs and petal limbs are comparatively short, but the 

 sepals are large, and the many stamens and long, slender styles 

 protrude like golden tassels from each flower. The foliage is 

 very abundant, dark-green above and pale and whitish under- 

 neath. 



COLORADO COLUMBINE 



Aquilegia ciBrulea. 



The State flower of Colorado, native to the low«r mountain regions 

 from Montana to Mexico. April to July. 



Stem. — One to two and a half feet high, finely pubescent above, 

 bearing loose panicles of flowers. 



Leaves. — Radical or alternate on the stem, twice or thrice palmately 

 compound, leaflets three-lobed. 



Flowers. — Two inches across, blue and white. 



Sepals. — Often blue, oblong, obtuse. 



Petals. — With long slender spurs, rather straight but curving outward, 

 white dashed with blue, and small knobs at the end. 



Stamens. — Many, protruding. 



Pistil. — Of several carpels; styles long and slender. 



Fruit. — Several follicles, pubescent; seeds many. 



It would be interesting to know what personal experiences ante- 

 dated the vote of the members of the State Legislature of Colorado 

 which made Aquilegia cosrulea the State flower. For Colorado 

 was first a trapper's land, next a miner's State, and this beautiful 

 plant in bloom must have been associated with many a toilsome 

 climb and many a weary day. One finds it on the flanks of the 

 high mountains. 



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