HUYỀN VŨ: 07/26/09

Tên columbine có là do ngươì ta tưởng tượng cái vòng 5 cánh hoa trắng ở giữa hoa là 5 con chim bồ câu nhỏ (doves) chụm đầu hút mật trong nhụy hoa .

http://outthere.freedomblogging.com/2009/06/30/columbines-are-blooming-so-are-mosquitos/5357/

http://www.state.co.us/photos/colorado/gallery/columbines3.htm

http://www.goldcountryartistsgallery.com/2d/tillery.html

Columbines

Aquilegia sibirica fruit (left), flower (right) and leaves (bottom)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
(unranked):	Eudicots
Order:	Ranunculales
Family:	Ranunculaceae
Subfamily:	Thalictroideae
Genus:	Aquilegia L.

Species

60-70, see text

Aquilegia (pronounced /ˌækwɨˈliːdʒiə/)^[1] is a genus of about 60-70 species of columbines, herbaceous perennial plants that are found in meadows, woodlands, and at higher altitudes throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They are known for their distinctive flowers, generally bell-shaped, with each petal modified into an elongated nectar spur. Its fruit takes the form of a follicle.^[2] Columbine is derived from the latin word for Dove.

Columbines are closely related to plants in the genera Actaea (baneberries) and Aconitum (wolfbanes/monkhoods), which like Aquilegia produce cardiogenic toxins.^[3]

They are used as food plants by some Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) caterpillars. These are mainly of noctuid moths – noted for feeding on many poisonous plants without harm – like Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae), Dot Moth (Melanchra persicariae) and Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis). The Engrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia), a geometer moth, also uses columbine as larval foodplant.

Use by humans

File:Aquilagia columbine magpie cultivar 2.jpg

Columbine cultivar 'Magpie'

Double-flowered Aquilegia × hybrida

Several species are grown in gardens, including the European Columbine (A. vulgaris), a traditional garden flower in many parts of the world^[4]. Numerous cultivars and hybrids have also been developed as well. They are easy to propagate from seed.

The flowers of various species of Aquilegia were consumed in moderation by Native Americans as a condiment with other fresh greens, and are reported to be very sweet, and safe if consumed in small quantities. The plant's seeds and roots are highly poisonous however, and contain cardiogenic toxins which cause both severe gastroenteritis and heart palpitations if consumed as food. Native Americans used very small amounts of Aquilegia root as an effective treatment for ulcers. However, the medical use of this plant is better avoided due to its high toxicity; columbine poisonings may be fatal.^[3]

The Colorado Blue Columbine (A. caerulea) is the official state flower of Colorado (see also Columbine, Colorado).

Also, columbines have been important in the study of evolution. It was found that Sierra Columbine (A. pubescens) and Crimson Columbine (A. formosa) each have specifically-adapted pollinators, with hawkmoths that can pollinate one species while usually failing to pollinate the other. Such a "pollination syndrome", being due to flower genetics, ensures reproductive isolation and can be a cause underlying speciation.^[5]

Cultivation

Large numbers of hybrids are now available for the garden, since the British A vulgaris was joined by other European and N American varieties. ^[6] Aquilegia species are very interfertile, and will self sow. ^[7]