Embedded Files
Red Columbine
Toxicity
Toxicity
Symptoms
Symptoms
Symptoms: Cramps, diarrhea, dizziness, heart problems, mydriasis, respiratory problems, unconsciousness, vomiting.
Duration of Symptoms: Rapid.
Rate of Poison: Not known.
Causes Death: Yes
Treatment: Not known.
*There is not a ton of information on the toxicity of Wild Columbines. However, care should be taken when encountering these plants.
Wild columbines are known to be attracted to pollinating species, like bees and long-tongued moths. It is especially popular with hummingbirds. The ruby-throated hummingbirds are known to pollinate columbines. Aquilegia is Latin for the word "eagle" and columbine is Latin for the word "dove." The five long spurs provide the flower with a bird-like structure, inspiring both the common name Columbine and the genus Aquilegia. Despite its beauty, children have died from ingesting the seeds of these flowers.
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson, M.S.
Main Toxin
Main Toxin
Molecular structure of cyanogenic glycoside (Meri Yulvianti - Research Gate)
Cyanogenic Glycosides*
Cyanogenic Glycosides*
Cyanogenic glycosides are formed naturally in many plants. When certain enzymes interact with cyanogenic glycosides, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is released, which is what causes the toxicity issue. Cyanide will cease the transportation of electrons and stop cellular respiration, which causes the development of pyruvic acid, which turns into lactic acid. The lactic acid builds up and causes metabolic acidosis. As a result, oxygen builds up in the tissues, producing hypoxia in tissues. The cells cannot use the excessive amount of oxygen, which leads to histotoxic anoxia.
In other words: Cyanogenic glycosides form hydrogen cyanide, which causes problems with how organisms in the body break down food molecules to gain energy for the body. Without this energy, pyruvic acid forms, which turns into lactic acid. This causes too much acid to build up in the body fluids. This causes tissues in the body to have low levels of oxygen. Cells are unable to use the oxygen and cannot transport it to the brain, causing symptoms like confusion, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, etc.
Level of Toxin: Not known.
Impacting Dosage: 0.5 - 3.5 mg/kg body weight
*See Elderflower for reference.
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Boric Acid
Boric Acid
Boric acid is extremely toxic if ingested. It is known to cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea and even results in death. Boric acid is usually absorbed via inhalation, oral exposure, or dermal exposure. Once in the system, boric acid enters the gastrointestinal tract.
In other words: Boric acid is extremely dangerous if swallowed. It can cause stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea and even death. It can enter the body through breathing, eating, or skin contact, then enters the digestive system.
Magnoflorine*
Magnoflorine*
Magnoflorine has been known to cause lower blood pressure, and could potentially contribute to a decrease in heart rate as well.
However, magnoflorine is used for many claimed medicinal uses, such as reduction of inflammation. It has antioxidant and anxiolytic properties. It also has the ability to protect high-density lipoproteins (HDL) which is a healthier form of cholesterol. It is able to exhibit cytotoxicity against a brain tumour cell line (U251) and a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2).
In other words: Magnoflorine can lower blood pressure and possibly slow down the heart rate.
However, it can be used for various medical purposes, such as reducing inflammation. It has antioxidant and anti-anxiety properties, protects healthy cholesterol (HDL), and can kill certain cancerous cells, such as those in the brain and the heart.
2-Isopropylmalic Acid
Cyclohexenecarboxylic acid
GABA
Glyceric Acid
Glycine
Malic Acid
Phosphoric Acid
Threonine
Acetic Acid
Cytosine, N-(tert-butyl)-, tert-butyldimethyl ether
Glucaric Acid
Glycerol
Hexadecanoic acid
m-Hydroxybenzoic acid
Pyroglutamic Acid
α-Linolenic acid
Butanedioic Acid
Fenozan
Glucitol
Glycerol Dipalmitate
Inositol
Octadecanoic acid
Tetradecanoic acid
Citric Acid
Fumarate
Gluconic acid, γ-lactone
Glycerol Distearate
L-tartaric Acid
Pentanedioic Acid
Threonic acid
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: Seeds
Contact Hazard: Sap could result in skin irritation.
Animals Affected: Possibly pets. Animals usually leave the plant alone due to the bitterness.
Medicinal Value
Medicinal Value
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: Leaves, roots, seeds.
Properties: Antispasmodic, anodyne, diaphoric, diuretic, parasiticide.
Components: Not known.
Antidote: None.
Preparation: Decoction, salve, tea
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Treatments
Treatments
Bowel Issues: Chewed roots or prepared into a tea.
Fever: Seeds crushed in hot water.
Headache: Seeds crushed in hot water.
Increase Perspiration: Chewed roots or prepared into a tea.
Lice: Ripe seeds rubbed into hair.
Stomach Issues: Chewed roots or prepared into a tea.
Urinary Issues: Chewed roots or prepared into a tea.
Location
Location
North America: Roots were either chewed or prepared into a tea to aid with bowel, stomach, and urinary issues. Seeds were used to treat headaches and fevers.
Claimed Treatments
Claimed Treatments
Diarrhea: Root chewed, brewed into a tea, or made into a decoction.
Fever: Seeds
Gastrointestinal Issues: Roots
Headaches: Seeds
Heart Problems: Seeds
Jaundice: Seeds
Inflamed Stomach: Seeds
Liver Obstructions: Seeds
Kidney Issues: Seeds
Kidney Stones: Seeds
Rheumatic Pains: Lotion made from fresh root.
Skin Rash: Seeds
Sores: Leaves made into a lotion for mouth and throat sores.
Sore Throat: Seeds
Stomach Aches: Root chewed or brewed into a tea.
Urinary Issues: Seeds
Location
Location
North America
Edibility
Edibility
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: Flowers, roots, young plants
Nutrients: Not known.
Taste: Bitter
WARNING: This plant is part of the Ranunculaceae family, which is known for its toxic properties. Exercise caution with consumption.
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
Roots
Young plants
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
Flowers: Raw
Salads: Added to the salad.
General Facts
General Facts
Plant Facts
Plant Facts
Illustration of Red Columbine by William Curtis - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
Genus: Aquilegia
Other Names: American Columbine, Canada Columbine, Canadian Columbine, Cluckies, Eastern Red Columbine, Meeting-Houses, Jack-in-Trousers, Red-Bell, Rock-Lily, Wild Columbine, Wild Honeysuckle
Synonyms: A. australis, A. coccinea, A. elegans, A. eminens, A. flaviflora, A. latuscula, A. phoenicantha, A. variegata
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Bloom Colours: Red, yellow, pink.
Bloom Time: March - July
Type: Perennial
Height: 1 - 4 ft. (0.3 - 1.2 meters)
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Habitat: Banks, beach ridges, bluffs, calcareous cliffs, clearings, gravelly shorelines, ledges, peat bogs, quarries, ravines, river banks, roadsides, rock outcrops, rocky woods, sandy woods, savannas, shaded cliffs steep stream.
Origin: North America
States: AL, AR, DE, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WV, WI.
Provinces: MB, NB, NS, ON, QB, SK
Related Species
Related Species
Aquilegia alpina
(Alpine Columbine)
Photo: I.Sáček, Sr. - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Aquilegia atrata
(Dark Columbine)
Photo: Thibault Lefort - Flickr
License: Public Domain
Aquilegia atrovinosa
(Dark-Violet Columbine)
Photo: Malcolm Manners - Wikimedia Commons
License: CC 2.0
Aquilegia barbaricina
(Barbaricina Columbine)
Photo: Mario Pappacoda - Wikimedia Commons
License: CC 4.0
Aquilegia barnebyi
(Oil Shale Columbine)
Photo: Jessica Brunson - Flickr
License: Public Domain
Aquilegia barykinae
(Barykinae Aquilegia)
Photo: Эрст Андрей Сергеевич, Каракулов Анатолий Владимирович, Луферов Александр Николаевич - Wikimedia Commons
License: CC 4.0
Aquilegia bertolonii
(Bertolini Columbine)
Photo: Lionnel Rousset - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 2.5
Aquilegia brevistyla
(Smallflower Columbine)
Photo: US Forest Service - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Aquilegia caerulea
(Origami Red and White)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Aquilegia champagnatii
(Champagnat's Columbine)
Photo: Bianciotti Rodolfo - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 4.0
Aquilegia chaplinei
(Chapline's Columbine)
Photo: Patrick Alexander - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Aquilegia chrysantha
(Golden Columbine)
Photo: Cecilia Alexander - Flickr
License: Public Domain
Aquilegia discolor
(Two-Coloured Columbine)
Photo: Ghislain118 (AD) - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 3.0
Aquilegia ecalcarata
(Spurless Columbine)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
License:
Aquilegia einseleana
(Einsele's Columbine)
Photo: Maurizio Trenchi - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Aquilegia elegantula
(Western Red Columbine)
Photo: Cecelia Alexander - Flickr
License: Public Domain
Aquilegia flavescens
(Yellow Columbine)
Photo: Goldman Luther (US Fish and Wildlife Service) - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Aquilegia formosa
(Western Columbine)
Photo: NPS Photo - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Aquilegia glandulosa
(Siberian Columbine)
Photo: Ruff tuff cream puff - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Aquilegia kubanica
(Kuban Columbine)
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 4.0
Aquilegia micrantha
(Mancos Columbine)
Photo: Unknown Author - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Aquilegia nevadensis
(Nevada Columbine)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Aquilegia ophiolithica
(Ophiolite Columbine)
Photo: ferumb74 - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Aquilegia parviflora
(Small-Flowered Columbine)
Photo: Hedwig Storch - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 3.0
Aquilegia pyrenaica
(Pyrenean Columbine)
Photo: Juan José Sánchez - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 2.0
Aquilegia saximontana
(Rocky Mountain Columbine)
Photo: Meneerke Bloem - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 3.0
Aquilegia sibirica
(Siberian Columbine)
Photo: Vladimir Prelovskij - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Aquilegia transsilvanica
(Transylvanial Columbine)
Photo: Jean Claude - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 4.0
Aquilegia viridiflora
(Green Columbine)
Photo: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 4.0
Aquilegia vulgaris
(European Columbine)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Other Species
Other Species
Aquilegia amaliae
Aquilegia atwoodii
Aquilegia blecicii
Aquilegia colchica
Aquilegia daingolica
Aquilegia ganboldii
Aquilegia hirsutissima
Aquilegia iulia
Aquilegia kitaibelii
Aquilegia maimanica
Aquilegia montsicciana
Aquilegia ochotensis
Aquilegia pubiflora
Aquilegia subscaposa
Aquilegia vitalii
Aquilegia apuana
Aquilegia ballii
Aquilegia borodinii
Aquilegia confusa
Aquilegia desolaticola
Aquilegia gegica
Aquilegia hispanica
Aquilegia kansuensis
Aquilegia kozakii
Aquilegia marcelliana
Aquilegia moorcroftiana
Aquilegia × oenipontana
Aquilegia reuteri
Aquilegia tianschanica
Aquilegia wittmanniana
Aquilegia aradanica
Aquilegia baluchistanica
Aquilegia cazorlensis
Aquilegia cossoniana
Aquilegia dichroa
Aquilegia gracillima
Aquilegia holmgrenii
Aquilegia karatavica
Aquilegia litardierei
Aquilegia meridionalis
Aquilegia nugorensis
Aquilegia pancicii
Aquilegia sicula
Aquilegia turczaninovii
Aquilegia yabeana
Aquilegia aragonensis
Aquilegia bernardi
Aquilegia chitralensis
Aquilegia cymosa
Aquilegia fosteri
Aquilegia guarensis
Aquilegia incurvata
Aquilegia karelinii
Aquilegia lucensis
Aquilegia microcentra
Aquilegia nuragica
Aquilegia paui
Aquilegia sternbergii
Aquilegia vicaria
Family Connection
Family Connection
Sources
Sources
Toxicity Section
Toxicity Section
Bernard, C. E., Harrass, M. C., & Manning, M. J. (2010). Boric acid and inorganic borate pesticides. In Hayes' Handbook of Pesticide Toxicology (pp. 2033-2053). Academic Press. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B978012374367100094X
Fellabees Nativeseeds. (n.d.). Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). From https://www.fellabees.com/shop/p/z7l52sr5z5echocax18xn37uzaqzpb
Green Packs (n.d.) How Toxic is Columbine? From https://greenpacks.org/how-toxic-is-columbine/
Hadrup, N., Frederiksen, M., & Sharma, A. K. (2021). Toxicity of boric acid, borax and other boron containing compounds: A review. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology, 121, 104873. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0273230021000131
Ishii, Y., Fujizuka, N., Takahashi, T., Shimizu, K., Tuchida, A., Yano, S., ... & Chishiro, T. (1993). A fatal case of acute boric acid poisoning. Journal of Toxicology: Clinical Toxicology, 31(2), 345-352. From https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/15563659309000402
Johnson, D., Kershaw, L., MacKinnon, A., Pojar, J. (2017). Plants of the Western Forest: Alberta, Saskatechewan & Manitoba Boreal and Aspen Parkland. Partners Publishing and Lone Pine Media Productions. (pp. 127).
Natives to Know. (2021). Natives to Know: Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). Wild Ones River City Grand Rapids Area. From https://rivercitygrandrapids.wildones.org/natives-to-know-wild-columbine-aquilegia-canadensis/
Noutsos, C., Perera, A. M., Nikolau, B. J., Seaver, S. M., & Ware, D. H. (2015). Metabolomic profiling of the nectars of Aquilegia pubescens and A. canadensis. PLoS One, 10(5), e0124501. From https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0124501
Sarah. (n.d.). Is aquilegia poisonous to humans and animals? Plantura Magazine. From https://plantura.garden/uk/flowers-perennials/aquilegias/is-aquilegia-poisonous
Wink, M. (2009). Mode of action and toxicology of plant toxins and poisonous plants. Mitt. Julius Kühn-Inst, 421, 93-112. From https://d-nb.info/1250680875/34#page=97
Medicinal Value Section
Medicinal Value Section
Johnson, D., Kershaw, L., MacKinnon, A., Pojar, J. (2017). Plants of the Western Forest: Alberta, Saskatechewan & Manitoba Boreal and Aspen Parkland. Partners Publishing and Lone Pine Media Productions. (pp. 127).
Lake Forest College. (n.d.). Aquilegia canadensis (Wild Columbine/Eastern Red Columbine) Ranunculaceae. From https://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/environmental-studies/aquilegia-canadensis-(wild-columbine/eastern-red-columbine)-ranunculaceae
Medical Herb Info. (n.d.). Columbine. From http://medicinalherbinfo.org/000Herbs2016/1herbs/columbine/
Practical Plants. (n.d.) Aquilegia canadsensis Wild Columbine. From https://practicalplants.org/wiki/aquilegia_canadensis/
USDA. (2002). Red Columbine. USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center. From https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_aqca.pdf
Edibility Section
Edibility Section
Johnson, D., Kershaw, L., MacKinnon, A., Pojar, J. (2017). Plants of the Western Forest: Alberta, Saskatechewan & Manitoba Boreal and Aspen Parkland. Partners Publishing and Lone Pine Media Productions. (pp. 127).
Lake Forest College. (n.d.). Aquilegia canadensis (Wild Columbine/Eastern Red Columbine) Ranunculaceae. From https://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/environmental-studies/aquilegia-canadensis-(wild-columbine/eastern-red-columbine)-ranunculaceae
Practical Plants. (n.d.) Aquilegia canadsensis Wild Columbine. From https://practicalplants.org/wiki/aquilegia_canadensis/
Sarah. (n.d.). Is aquilegia poisonous to humans and animals? Plantura Magazine. From https://plantura.garden/uk/flowers-perennials/aquilegias/is-aquilegia-poisonous
WINEK, C. L. (1962). A chemical study of the alkaloids of Aquilegia. The Ohio State University. From https://www.proquest.com/docview/302116297?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true&sourcetype=Dissertations & Theses
General Facts Section
General Facts Section
Branhagen, A. (2016). Native Plants of the Midwest: A Comprehensive Guide to the Best 500 Species for the Garden. Timber Press. (pp. 310-311)
Clausen, R. R., & Christopher, T. (2014). Essential Perennials: The Complete Reference to 2700 Perennials for the Home Garden. Timber Press. (pp 63-65).
Lake Forest College. (n.d.). Aquilegia canadensis (Wild Columbine/Eastern Red Columbine) Ranunculaceae. From https://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/environmental-studies/aquilegia-canadensis-(wild-columbine/eastern-red-columbine)-ranunculaceae
Reader’s Digest North American Wildlife. (1998). Wildflowers: Guides to Recognizing Just About Everything in Nature. Reader’s Digest Association. (pp. 30-31)
Practical Plants. (n.d.) Aquilegia canadsensis Wild Columbine. From https://practicalplants.org/wiki/aquilegia_canadensis/
USDA. (2002). Red Columbine. USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center. From https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_aqca.pdf
Date of page creation: October 10, 2024
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