Aquilegia olympica
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| Aquilegia olympica | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Flower of Aquilegia olympica in the Caucasus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus: | Aquilegia |
| Species: | A. olympica |
| Binomial name | |
| Aquilegia olympica | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Aquilegia olympica is a perennial flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to Turkey, Iran, and the Caucasus.[1][2]
Aquilegia olympica grows to 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall. The basal leaves are biternate in form, smooth above and covered with fine or woolly hairs underneath. The leaflets have rounded teeth along their edges. The flowers have blue-violet sepals measuring 18–35 mm (0.71–1.38 in), and white petals ending in a short, somewhat hooked nectar spur.[3]
Taxonomy
The species is part of, and gives its name to, the Aquilegia olympica aggregate, together with Aquilegia champagnatii, Aquilegia dinarica, and Aquilegia ottonis. This aggregate is characterised by leafy and glandular stems, often branched inflorescences, medium or large nodding and often bicoloured flowers with hooked spurs.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Aquilegia olympica is native to northern Turkey, northern Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and the North Caucasus.[2] Unlike the other species in the Aquilegia olympica aggregate, which prefer rocky habitats, this species grows in damp meadows and spruce forests.[3]
Ecology
Aquilegia olympica flowers in late spring and early summer.[4] The larvae of the columbine sawfly Pristiphora rufipes have been recorded feeding on the plant.[5]
Conservation
As of November 2024[update], the species has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List.[6]
