Biology:Aquilegia colchica
| Aquilegia colchica | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus: | Aquilegia |
| Species: | A. colchica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Aquilegia colchica Kem.-Nath.[1]
| |
Aquilegia colchica is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, endemic to the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia.[1] The plant blooms in spring with blue and white flowers. It is considered an endangered species in Georgia.
Description
Aquilegia colchica is a perennial herb growing to 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall,[2] with sticky stems covered by characteristic silvery, downy hairs.[3] The basal leaves are biternate and covered with dense, light grey downy hairs, with leaflets of a rounded wedge shape. The flowers are solitary and two-coloured, blue and white, with sepals of a rounded lanceolate shape.[2] The petals are egg-shaped and blue or light blue, with a blue, strongly twisted, and downy nectar spur.[3]
Taxonomy
The species was formally described by the Georgian botanist Liubov Kemularia-Nathadze in 1934[1] from specimens collected in the gorge of the river Qvirila.[3] It can produce fertile hybrid offspring with another endemic Aquilegia species of the western Caucasus, Aquilegia gegica.[3]
Etymology
The specific epithet colchica is taken from the classical placename Colchis, in the area to which the species is native.[4] The genus name Aquilegia may come from the Latin word for "eagle", aquila, in reference to the pedals' resemblance to eagle talons.[5]
Distribution and habitat
Aquilegia colchica is endemic to Georgia, growing in rocky areas in the western Caucasus mountains.[2] Known populations include those in the gorges of the river Qvirila and its tributary, the Jruchula River.[3]
Conservation
As of December 2024[update], the species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List.[6] It is nationally classed as an endangered species in Georgia.[3]
Ecology
Aquilegia colchica flowers in spring.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Aquilegia colchica Kem.-Nath." (in en). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/708843-1. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Aquilegia colchica Kem.-Nath.". 2024. https://flora.kadel.cz/cm/kvCard3690.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Gabedava, Laura (2021). "Biological Peculiarities of F1 Generation of Hybrids of Two Georgian Endemic Species Aquilegia colchica Kem.-Nath. and Aquilegia gegica Jabr.-Kolak". Bulletin of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences 15 (2): 102–107. http://science.org.ge/bnas/t15-n2/14_Gabedava_Botany.pdf. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ↑ Gledhill, David (2006). The names of plants (4th. ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521866456. https://books.google.com/books?id=NJ6PyhVuecwC. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ↑ "Aquilegia chrysantha". Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=AQCH.
- ↑ "Aquilegia - genus". 2024. https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?taxonomies=105408&searchType=species.
Wikidata ☰ Q15365427 entry
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