Columbine

Columbine is the common name for plants in the genus Aquilegia, a group of perennial flowering plants in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. The name is believed to derive from the Latin columba, meaning dove, in reference to the flower’s spurred petals that many people associate with a dove’s silhouette.

Aquilegia species are herbaceous perennials with delicate, lobed leaves and flowers that have five petals and two long nectar-spurring spurs. The flowers occur in loose clusters and range in color from blue, purple, and pink to red and white. The European species Aquilegia vulgaris is widely grown in gardens, and numerous cultivars have been developed for variation in form and color. They generally prefer cool, well-drained soil and partial shade. While admired for their beauty, many parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, so they should be handled with care around children and pets.

Columbine also refers to a notable historical event: on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, two students carried out a mass shooting, killing 12 students and a teacher and injuring many others before both perpetrators died by suicide. The attack drew extensive national and international attention and prompted ongoing discussions about school safety, emergency response, and gun policy in the United States.

Beyond its horticultural and historical associations, the term Columbine appears in various cultural references and place names related to the flower and its symbolism.