Aguilegia canadensis
This member of the Buttercup family is one of the most unusual and most beautiful wildflowers. The droopy, bell-like flowers hang upside down from a slender, curved stem with numerous yellow stamens hanging below the petals. The 1.5 -2 inch (3.8-5 cm) flowers are red on the outside and yellow on the inside. The five petals extend backwards into long spurs with nectar at the tips that attract long-tounged insects. The compound leaves are 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) wide and occur as three-lobed leaflets.
Columbines thrive in rocky woods and slopes and range from 1-3 feet in height (31-93 cm). Flowers typically bloom in May.
