Wild Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis, Wild Columbine. This attractive member of the Ranunculaceae is beginning to put on a show in the Midwest. 

Post number 500!

Presenting GYBO post number 500! In celebration, here are my top 10 favorite photos. Probably all of them were posted sometime earlier. Thanks to all who visit and comment, and thanks to all who have posted here. Special thanks to Ben and Scott for setting up this group blog.

Interrupted Fern, Porter County, Indiana

Bloodroot, LaPorte County, Indiana

Blue-Eyed Mary, LaPorte County, Indiana

Cleft Phlox, Lake County, Indiana

Bluehearts, Lake County, Indiana

Prairie Brome, Lake County, Indiana

Nieuwland's Blazing Star, Lake County, Indiana

Yellow Lady's Slipper, Lake County, Indiana

Sullivant's Milkweed, Lake County, Indiana

Wild Columbine, Marshall County, Indiana

Green in Winter: Wild Columbine

These leaves of Aquilegia canadensis emerged in the landscaping around my house during mild weather in December, 2011. They seem a little thin for winter leaves but they persist, even with freezing temps and no snow cover. Wild Columbine is one of the easiest native plants to grow from seed, and it will flourish in almost any conditions. It is very popular with hummingbirds.

Photographed in rock landscaping on January 1, 2012 in Marshall County, Indiana.

This is how the plant looked in May, 2011 in a shaded hollow between wooded dunes in Porter County, Indiana.

"Without anxiety let us wander on, admiring whatever beauty the woods exhibit." Henry David Thoreau Journal, 1850.

Great Basin Plants part 3

As we moved across the playa wetlands where the Parish Phacelia was growing, we came to an emergent wetland community. Aquilegia formosa was blooming beside some open water. Two photos of the same flower from different angles.



I believe this shooting star is Dodecatheon pulchellum. There were so many of them that they turned the marsh purple/pink.

Thanks for the comments!  This gorgeous little flowers is Sea Milkwort (Lysimachia maritima).

We were excited to find this member of the Hydrophyllacea. I believe this is Hesperochiron pumilus. It was growing in the open part of the wetland.

This Monkeyflower was blooming beside the Columbine in the wetland. I believe this is Mimulus guttatus. As with all of these flowers, feel free to comment with ID corrections.

Indian Love Charm, Aquilegia canadensis

Like tiny chandeliers, Columbines seem to light up the shaded hollows between old, wooded dunes and rock-walled canyons.

A Green River Drainage Endemic

I recently posted about Aquilegia barnebyi, a species endemic to the Green River Drainage in Utah and Colorado, on Through Handlens and Binoculars.


Click here to find out more about this species and the unique lake around which we saw it growing.