Blue columbines in the garden

Aquilegia vulgaris is a perennial plant that is found in meadows, woodlands, and at higher altitudes throughout the Northern Hemisphere, known for the spurred petals of their flowers.

Its common names are granny's bonnet or columbine. The genus name Aquilegia is derived from the Latin word for eagle (aquila), because the shape of the flower petals, which are said to resemble an eagle's claw. The common name "columbine" comes from the Latin for "dove", due to the resemblance of the inverted flower to five doves clustered together.

Like many plants closely related, it produces cardiogenic toxins.

Plants in the Aquilegia genus are a major food source for several butterflies and for Bombus hortorum as well, a species of bumblebee.