Colorado State Flower: Rocky Mountain Columbine

The Rocky Mountain Columbine holds the position of Colorado's official state flower. This native wildflower blooms from late June through August in mountain areas. Elevations between 6,000 and 11,000 feet provide ideal habitat. The plant reaches heights of 12 to 20 inches tall.

Each flower displays five white petals surrounded by five lavender blue sepals. Long spurs extend backward from the petals. These spurs can grow up to 2 inches long. The blooms measure about 2 to 3 inches across when fully open. Hikers spot these flowers in aspen groves and along mountain streams. Partial shade creates perfect growing conditions.

Moist soil provides necessary nutrients for this alpine wildflower. The plant produces fernlike leaves that remain green throughout the growing season. Rocky soil suits the columbine's root system. Cool mountain temperatures help it thrive where other flowers struggle to survive.

Known as Rocky Mountain Columbine, this flower's scientific designation is Aquilegia coerulea. The plant belongs to the buttercup family called Ranunculaceae. This family includes over 2,000 species of flowering plants worldwide.

The word columbine comes from the Latin word columba. That means dove. Early botanists thought the flower's spurs looked like five doves gathered in a circle. The scientific name coerulea refers to the blue color of the sepals.

Other common names include Colorado blue columbine and simply blue columbine. Gardeners and hikers most often use the Rocky Mountain name. Wild specimens growing at high elevations get called mountain columbine by some naturalists.

Colorado adopted the Rocky Mountain Columbine in 1899 following a campaign by school children across the state. Teachers organized students to vote for their favorite wildflower. The columbine won this popular vote by a significant margin. Other native flowers received far fewer votes.

The legislature made it official on April 4, 1899. Colorado residents clearly loved this mountain flower. Native abundance played a major role in the selection. The columbine grew naturally throughout Colorado's mountains and represented the state's beautiful high country. Lawmakers wanted a flower that truly belonged to Colorado. They rejected flowers found in many other states.

The campaign showed strong public support for protecting natural heritage. Women's clubs backed the choice enthusiastically. Garden societies also supported it. They believed the columbine's delicate beauty matched Colorado's mountain character. The legislature passed the designation quickly and demonstrated widespread agreement about the selection.

The Lark Bunting serves as Colorado's state bird, a small songbird with distinctive black and white plumage. Both symbols became official in different years. The columbine was adopted in 1899 while Colorado schoolchildren chose the Lark Bunting much later in 1931.

The Rocky Mountain Columbine is often associated with Colorado's mountain heritage and natural beauty. Its blue and white colors traditionally symbolize the state's clear skies and snow-capped peaks. Many Colorado residents consider the flower to reflect the rugged independence of the Rocky Mountain region. Natural splendor defines its cultural meaning.

The delicate appearance combined with hardy mountain survival carries connotations of hidden strength beneath beauty. Conservation groups frequently represent the columbine as a reminder to protect Colorado's native plants. Natural environments face ongoing threats from development and climate change.