Scientific Family
Ranunculaceae
Other common names
yellow columbine
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 4 feet
Riparian
Yes
Several stems and basal leaves form a bushy plant 1 to 3 feet tall with handsome yellow flowers that are held relatively erect on long stalks rather than nodding.
Erect perennial up to 3 feet tall with smooth or slightly hairy stems and leaves. Leaves mostly basal, compound with 3 lobed leaflets. Flowers erect, sepals and petals yellow, petals with long slender spurs. Found in moist soils.
Habitat
Alongside streams and in rich, moist soil in shady forests.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
11000
Flower Characteristics
Large, drooping, bright yellow 3 inch wide flowers. 5 petals with long spurs and 5 backward-curving, paler yellow sepals. Each petal has a hollow nectar-filled spur.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves 3-1/2 to 18 inches long, divided 2 times into leaflets. Leaflets are 3 lobed. A few smaller alternate leaves are found on the stems.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Bluish-green
Leaf shape
Triangular
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Green pod turning brown and papery with maturity, 1-1/2 to 2 inches long. The pod splits along its side to release the seeds.
Fruit type
Pod
Fruit color
Green
Shiny and round.