Aquilegia vulgaris

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Aquilegia vulgaris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ranunculales Family: Ranunculaceae Genus: Aquilegia Species: A. vulgaris
Binomial name
Aquilegia vulgaris L.

Aquilegia vulgaris (European Columbine, Common Columbine or Granny's Nightcap) is a species of columbine native to Europe. It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 1.2 m tall, with branched, thinly hairy stems. The leaves are pinnate, with the basal leaflets themselves trifoliate.

[edit] Folklore

In traditional herbalism columbine was considered sacred to Venus; carrying a posy of it was said arouse the affections of a loved one. Nicholas Culpeper recommended it to ease the pains of childbirth. In modern herbal medicine it is used as an astringent and diuretic.^[1]

Plants growing in natural habitat

Close-up of flowers

Various parts of the plant have been used in the past to cure diarrhoea, to promote perspiration to help in childbirth and to alleviate rheumatic pains; but this plant is a member of the all-poisonous Ranunculus family, and it should not be experimented with. However, dried crushed seeds, made into a dusting powder, will kill lice very effectively. (The Wild Garden by Lys De Bray)

[edit] References

1. ^ Howard, Michael. Traditional Herbal Remedies (Century, 1987), p.124

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