Aquilegia atrata

Morphological description

Perennial scapose herbaceous plant, with a height that can reach up to 70 cm. The stem is erect, cylindrical, branched and often presents a reddish coloration, especially in the upper part, where it is also covered by a fine glandular pubescence. The base of the plant has a large vertical or oblique rhizome from which secondary roots and basal leaves develop.

The basal leaves are arranged in a basal rosette, with long petioles of 10-30 cm and a blade finely divided into three tripartite segments, each with fan-shaped and deeply lobed forms, measuring up to 3 x 3 cm. The lower surface of these leaves is glaucous. The cauline leaves, smaller and more numerous, become progressively simpler towards the top of the stem, ranging from tripartite with lobed segments to linear and entire, often sessile.

The flowers, hermaphroditic and pendulous, are borne on long, curved, glandular peduncles. The inflorescence is a loose panicle composed of 2-7 flowers. Each flower measures between 3 and 5 cm in diameter and is characterized by five outer tepals of dark violet or brownish color, ovate-lanceolate or spatulate in shape and about 8 x 17-20 mm in size. The inner whorl includes five nectaries (inner tepals) of the same color, hood-shaped, with a curved spur at the tip, 10-15 mm long, bending towards the floral axis. The stamens, numerous and yellow, protrude clearly beyond the tepals, forming a column 5 to 10 mm long.

The fruit is a follicle, consisting of five glandular-pubescent follicles, briefly fused at the base.

Habitat and distribution

This species is typically montane and is mainly found in orophytic environments of Southwestern Europe, with a distribution in Italy covering the Alps, the Langhe, the Ligurian Apennines, the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, the Apuan Alps, Abruzzo, Campania and the Pollino Massif. In these areas it can locally replace Aquilegia vulgaris.

It prefers mountain woods, particularly spruce forests, shrubby gorges, semi-shaded areas, pastures and meadows on humus-rich, calcareous or neutral soils, with exposure from hilly to subalpine, between 400 and 2000 meters of altitude.

Flowering period

Flowering generally occurs between May and July (months 5-7), with possible variations related to altitude and local climate.

Ecology and pollination

The pendulous flowers, dark violet and fragrant, attract various species of pollinating insects, including bumblebees and butterflies, which facilitate pollination. The protrusion of the stamens beyond the petals favors contact with pollinating insects. Seed dispersal occurs through follicles that open to release seeds equipped with glandular structures that may facilitate dispersal by small animals or abiotic agents, although the specific details of this phase are not widely documented.

Curiosities and traditional uses

Aquilegia atrata is a medicinal species known for its antiseptic, calming, astringent, purifying, diuretic, diaphoretic and parasiticide properties. Historically it has been used to combat skin affections such as scabies and ringworm, and to promote urinary secretion through its seeds. The alcoholic tincture obtained from the plant was used to relieve headaches, dyspnea crises and dysmenorrhea. The leaves were used to prepare poultices against boils, ulcers, sores and scurvy.

It is important to emphasize that the entire plant, especially the seeds, is toxic due to the presence of cardioactive glycosides that release hydrocyanic acid and alkaloids such as aquilegin. Poisoning by this species can cause burning in the mouth and on the skin, agitation, weakening of the heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions and can be fatal.

For these reasons, any therapeutic or food use must be avoided or carried out only under strict medical supervision.

Etymology

The genus name probably derives from the Latin aquilegium, which can mean “cistern” or “to collect water”, referring to the shape of the leaves that collect rainwater. Another interpretation links the name to the resemblance of the flower spurs to the beaks of an eagle, interpreting Aquilegia as “eagle-like”.

The specific epithet atrata refers to the dark, almost blackish color of the petals. In Italian the species is called “Dark Columbine” or “Aquilegia nerastra” precisely for this distinctive chromatic characteristic.

Sources

• Prof. S. Pignatti, Flora d’Italia
• Acta Plantarum – Flora delle regioni italiane (scheda di Giuliano Salvai)
• World Flora Online (WFO)