Aquilegia brevistyla Hook.

Taxonomy and Common Name

Aquilegia brevistyla Hook. is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family, commonly called smallflower columbine.

Distribution Range

It is native to northern North America, where it has a disjunct distribution. Most of its range extends from Alaska through much of Canada, and it also grows in a few areas of the contiguous United States, including the Black Hills of South Dakota and central Montana.

Abundance Hotspots

It is most abundant in eastern Alaska, Yukon, the southern Northwest Territories, and the northern portions of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

Growth Form and Height

This species is a rhizomatous perennial herb that produces stems up to 80 centimeters tall.

Leaf Structure

Its leaves are compound, divided into leaflets with wavy edges. Basal leaves grow on long petioles, while leaves positioned higher on the stem have much shorter petioles.

Flower Size

The nodding flowers are small for a columbine species.

Sepal Characteristics

The sepals are up to 2.5 centimeters long, reflexed, and range in color from blue to lavender.

Spur Characteristics

The spurs are up to one centimeter long.

Petal Characteristics

The petals are white or light yellow and also reach up to one centimeter in length.

Fruit Characteristics

The fruits are follicles that grow up to 2.5 centimeters long.

Flowering Period

Its flowering period runs from May through July or August.

Habitat Moisture Range

This plant is most often found in moist habitat types, but it can also grow in drier areas.

Substrate Preferences

It is frequently associated with limestone and other calcareous substrates, but it may also grow on granite soils.

General Habitat Types

It inhabits coniferous forests, open woods, meadows, and riverbanks.

Northern Range Habitat

In the northern portion of its range, it typically grows in coniferous forest habitat.

Black Hills Associated Species

In the Black Hills area, it can be found growing alongside Picea glauca, Pinus ponderosa, and Populus tremuloides.

Light Preference

It usually grows in forest understory, but it may occasionally be found in more open habitats.

Moss Associations

It is often associated with various mosses, including the feather moss Hylocomium splendens, and it may grow within moss carpets.

General Habitat Loss Threat

In parts of its range, even remote areas, this plant is threatened by habitat loss.

Recreational Activity Threat

Some southern populations of the species are threatened by recreational activities, particularly off-road vehicle use.

Grazing Threat

Grazing is also a threat to the species in some areas.