General: Mancos Columbine (Aquilegia micrantha) is a low-growing, leafy perennial forb with upright flower stalks. The leaves are dissected into three lobes, and the white flowers have striking wings and tails.

Mancos Columbine is a uncommon component of riparian communities (damp areas) in the mesa and canyon country of southern Utah. Around Las Vegas, look for this species in wet places in Zion National Park.

Family: Buttercup (Ranunculaceae).

Other Names:

Plant Form: Low growing, leafy perennial forb with upright flower stalks.

Height: Leaves basal to about 15 inches; flower stalk to about knee-high.

Stems: Upright flowers stalks.

Leaves: Mostly basal, compound, deeply lobed.

Flowers: Blooms during summer. Inflorescence: raceme. Flower radial; 5 petal-like sepals spread to the sides; 5 tubular petals, each with a spur projecting backwards between sepals. Flower white.

Seeds:

Habitat: Damp areas along streams and seeps, wet canyon walls.

Elevation: About 3,000 to 8,000 feet.

Distribution: Southern Utah, with minor extensions into northern Arizona, western Colorado, and eastern Nevada.

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