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What is this flowering plant? #789306

Asked May 04, 2022, 4:41 PM EDT

I found a 18” tall plant in part of the backyard I haven’t mowed yet this season. It has multiple deep purple flowers with yellow/green centers. I included a closeup of the leaves. The plant was lying flat but was only connected to the ground at the root (it didn’t seem to be a vine).

Howard County Maryland

Expert Response

Hi Rachel.  I'm pretty sure this is a form of columbine.  There are countless varieties, but this looks like it's aquilegia vulgaris, which I've seen described as blue columbine, even though that variety itself comes in a range of colors.  It self-seeds readily, so it probably wondered into your yard from somewhere else.  It's attractive and supports pollinators, so you might want to make an effort to maintain it, either where it is or elsewhere

Here is more info on a. vulgaris from Missouri Botanical Garden,  https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286072

Bob
Answered by University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener Volunteers.  For more information on a variety of yard and garden topics, visit the HGIC program web page, https://extension.umd.edu/hgic, and blog, Maryland Grows, https://marylandgrows.umd.edu/. Replied May 05, 2022, 4:11 PM EDT

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