Aquilegia vulgaris L.

Stems 1-several, leafy, 30–80 cm tall, pilose at least above. Lvs dull dark green and glabrous above, pale, glaucous, and sparsely pilose beneath. Basal lvs petiolate, 2-ternate; segments shortly stalked, lobed, crenate. Stem lvs shortly petiolate, becoming 3-foliolate; segments becoming sessile. Fls in lax leafy cymes, nodding, 2.5–3.5–(5) cm diam. Sepals ovate, acute, violet, blue, red or pink, (1.5)–2–3 cm long. Petals same colour as sepals but paler; limb < sepals, truncate; spur > limb, hooked at tip. Staminodes truncate at tip. Carpels hairy. Follicles 5–(7), strongly veined, erect, 15–30 mm long; styles deciduous, 6–8 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Sep.–Dec.; Fruiting: Oct.–Mar.