COLUMBINE

columbine, an erect perennial herbaceous plant known botanically as _aquilegia vulgaris_ (natural order ranunculaceae). in med. latin it was known as _columbina sc. herba_, the dove's plant. the slender stem bears delicate, long-stalked, deeply divided leaves with blunt segments, and a loose panicle of handsome drooping blue or white flowers, which are characterized by having all the five petals spurred. the plant occurs wild in woods and thickets in england and ireland, and flowers in early summer. it is well known in cultivation as a favourite spring flower, in many varieties, some of which have red flowers.