Link Trail Columbine
Matt Lavin; Zach Coury
Aquilegia rubicunda
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G5T2
State (S-rank): S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Aquilegia rubicunda or link-trail columbine is a perennial herb found in the central mountain range of Utah in sandstone seeps. This species is distingbauble by the slender brightly colored flowers and glandular-hairy herbage.
Description
Aquilegia rubicunda or link-trail columbine is a perennial herb found in the central mountain range of Utah in sandstone seeps. This species is distingbauble by the slender brightly colored flowers and glandular-hairy herbage.
Phenology
Flowering in June and July.
Diagnostic characteristics
This plant was previously thought to be a synonym of Aquilegia micrantha, but can be distinguished by its flower color and floral proportions. While similar to A. flavescens, this species has more brightly colored flowers which are also more slender than those of A. flavescens. Leaves of A. rubicunda are also glandular hairy versus glabrous or glaucous leaves of the other two species.
Species range
A southern plateaus endemic, found in Emery and Sevier Counties, Utah.
Threats or limiting factors
Minimal threats as habitat is cliff edge seeps. At least one occurrence is threatened by coal mining; a mining company is seeking a permit for actions that would disturb at least one site known to harbor plants (Co-Op Mining Company 2007). Threats to the other occurrences, if any, are unknown.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies