Aquilegia flabellata

Sieb. & Zucc

Fan columbine, Fan-shaped Funnel Vegetable

Ranunculaceae Edible: Flowers, Leaves, Caution Potential hazards — see below 132 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Aquilegia flabellata is a species of perennial flowering plant in the genus Aquilegia in the family Ranunculaceae. Native to North and East Asia, the species is found in China, Korea, Mongolia, the Russian Far East, and Japan. The species is commonly known as the fan columbine and some authorities, such as Flora of China, accept the species under the taxonomic name Aquilegia japonica. A dwarf variety of the species, A. flabellata var. pumila, is native to Japan. In cultivation, there are several cultivars of the species – with over 40 cultivars of A. flabellata var. pumila alone – possessing diverse physical attributes. Within its native range, A. flabellata occurs in mountain forests and on cliffs and slopes at elevations between 1,400 m (4,600 ft) and 2,500 m (8,200 ft) above sea level. The species can grow stems which reach heights of 45 cm (18 in) tall. Flowering occurs in July within its native Chinese range. The flowers feature blueish-purple sepals and petal blades that are purple, yellow-white, or white. The nectar spurs are purple and curve inwards. The species was first described in 1846 by the German botanists Philipp Franz von Siebold and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini.

Description

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It is a small compact plant. It grows 20-45 cm high and spreads 15-30 cm wide. The flowers are a soft, blue-purple colour. There are 1-2 per stem. They have white or cream petal tips and in-curved spurs.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Edible Uses: Tea Leaves - cooked. They must be thoroughly boiled. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Flowers - raw. Sweet and delightful, they make a very attractive addition to mixed salads and can also be used as a thirst-quenching munch in the garden. The flowers are also used as a tea substitute.

Traditional Uses

The red petals can be used as a natural food colouring. Caution: The seeds and roots are poisonous. They have a heart toxin.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Parasiticide None known

Known Hazards

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, it belongs to a family that contains a number of mildly toxic species. It is therefore wise to exercise some caution. The flowers are probably perfectly safe to eat.

Distribution

A temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Slovenia, Tasmania,

Cultivation

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, preferring a moist but not wet soil and a sunny position. Intolerant of heavy clay. Hardy to about -20°c. The name of this species is based on the cultivated form, the true wild form is A. flabellata pumila. Kudo. There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value. Most species are short-lived, dying out after 2 - 3 years, though they usually produce seed prolifically. However, they are very apt to hybridize with other members of the genus and so it becomes difficult to keep a species true to type if more than one is grown in the garden. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be slow to germinate. Stored seed can be sown in late winter in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring.

Other Uses

Parasiticide The seed is used as a parasiticide to rid the hair of lice. Special Uses

Notes

There are about 70 Aquilegia species.

Synonyms

Aquilegia akitensis Huth

Also Known As

Bela pahljačastolistna orlica, Shanxing Loudoucai

References (7)

Abh. Math.-Phys. Cl. Kounigl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. 4(2):183. 1846
Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 127
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 167
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 30
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

Show all 7 references