Aquilegia colchica
| Aquilegia colchica | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus: | Aquilegia |
| Species: | A. colchica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Aquilegia colchica | |
Aquilegia colchica is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to the Caucasus mountains in Georgia.[1] The plant blooms in spring with blue and white flowers. It is considered an endangered species in Georgia.
Description
[edit]Aquilegia colchica is a perennial herb growing to 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall,[2] with sticky stems covered by characteristic silvery, downy hairs.[3] The basal leaves are biternate and covered with dense, light grey downy hairs, with leaflets of a rounded wedge shape. The flowers are solitary and two-coloured, blue and white, with sepals of a rounded lanceolate shape.[2] The petals are egg-shaped and blue or light blue, with a blue, strongly twisted, and downy nectar spur.[3]
Taxonomy
[edit]The species was formally described by the Georgian botanist Liubov Kemularia-Nathadze in 1934[1] from specimens collected in the gorge of the river Qvirila.[3] It can produce fertile hybrid offspring with another endemic Aquilegia species of the western Caucasus, Aquilegia gegica.[3]
Etymology
[edit]The specific epithet colchica is taken from the classical placename Colchis, in the area to which the species is native.[4] The genus name Aquilegia may come from the Latin word for "eagle", aquila, in reference to the pedals' resemblance to eagle talons.[5]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]Aquilegia colchica is endemic to Georgia, growing in rocky areas in the western Caucasus mountains.[2] Known populations include those in the gorges of the river Qvirila and its tributary, the Jruchula River.[3]
Conservation
[edit]As of December 2024[update], the species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List.[6] It is nationally classed as an endangered species in Georgia.[3]
Ecology
[edit]Aquilegia colchica flowers in spring.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Aquilegia colchica Kem.-Nath". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Aquilegia colchica Kem.-Nath". Rock Garden Plants Database. 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Gabedava, Laura (2021). "Biological Peculiarities of F1 Generation of Hybrids of Two Georgian Endemic Species Aquilegia colchica Kem.-Nath. and Aquilegia gegica Jabr.-Kolak" (PDF). Bulletin of the Georgian National Academy of Science. 15 (2): 102–107. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ Gledhill, David (2006). The names of plants (4th. ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521866456. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ^ "Aquilegia chrysantha". wildflower.org. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
- ^ "Aquilegia - genus". IUCN Red List. 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.