Aquilegia caerulea E.James

Stems 15-80 cm. Basal leaves (1-)2(-3)×-ternately compound, 9-37 cm, much shorter than stems; leaflets green adaxially, to 13-42(-61) mm, not viscid; primary petiolules (10-)20-70 mm (leaflets not crowded), glabrous or occasionally pilose. Flowers erect; sepals perpendicular to floral axis, white, blue, or sometimes pink, elliptic-ovate to lance-ovate, 26-51 × 8-23 mm, apex obtuse to acute or acuminate; petals: spurs white, blue, or sometimes pink, straight, ± parallel or divergent, 28-72 mm, slender, evenly tapered from base, blades white, oblong or spatulate, 13-28 × 5-14 mm; stamens 13-24 mm. Follicles 20-30 mm; beak 8-12 mm.

A wide range of habitats, especially in aspen groves, in the upper levels of the Rockies. Rocky slopes or near streams in open woodland or herbland at elevations of 2,100-3,600 metres.

The flowers are rich in nectar and are eaten as a snack or added to salads or made into jelly. They can be boiled and eaten with a cream sauce. The flower buds can be added to salads or pickled and used as a substitute for capers.

Plants are grown from seeds.