Aquilegia saximontana

A. saximontana can be found in sub-alpine and alpine areas at elevations of in the Rocky Mountains. This species of columbine blooms in July and August. The blooms are lavender and white, and the entire plant reaches in height. This plant is endemic (native only) to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, United States. A. saximontana should not be confused with Aquilegia coerulea var. coerulea, which overlaps in range and may also have blue and white flowers. They can be identified by comparing the length of the "spur"-shaped backs of the flowers; A. saximontana has hooked spurs long, while A. coerulea has straight spurs in length. ==Taxonomy==

Aquilegia saximontana was scientifically described and named by Per Axel Rydberg in 1895. It is classified in the genus Aquilegia within the family Ranunculaceae. It has one heterotypic synonym, Aquilegia brevistyla var. leicocarpa, created by Paul Johannes Brühl in 1893. Names The botanical name saximontana means 'Rocky Mountains'. Aquilegia saximontana is known by the common names Rocky Mountain columbine or Rocky Mountain blue columbine, however the Colorado columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) which also grows in Colorado is very frequently called Rocky Mountain columbine. The species is also known as dwarf blue columbine, but shares this name with rock columbine (Aquilegia scopulorum). It is also known as alpine blue columbine and simply dwarf columbine. ==See also==