Wednesday, 9 July 2014
Aquilegia (common names: Granny's
Bonnet or Columbine) is a
genus of about 60-70 species of perennial plants that are found in meadows,
woodlands, and at higher altitudes throughout the Northern Hemisphere, known
for the spurred petals of their flowers. The genus name Aquilegia is derived from the Latin
word for eagle (aquila),
because the shape of the flower petals, which are said to resemble an eagle's
claw. The common name "columbine" comes from the Latin for
"dove", due to the resemblance of the inverted flower to five doves
clustered together. The fruit is a follicle. The
five points that stick out further than the petals are the calix (chalis). Source
