Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana(Munz) Lott 1985
Aquilegia hinckleyana, or Hinckley's golden columbine, is a partially recognized species of flowering plant of the genus Aquilegia (columbines) in the family Ranunculaceae endemic to Capote Falls in northwestern Presidio County, Texas. The plant is found within a small region of the county and only grows in moister areas of its generally dry range. Considered a smaller version of Aquilegia chrysantha, A. hinckleyana has a height of around 60 centimetres (24 in) and possesses yellow flowers. It has seen modern cultivation, particularly in Texas. The species is named for L. C. Hinckley, who first collected the species in 1943.
Aquilegia hinckleyana plants have a height of around 60 centimetres (24 in),[3]: 94 with stems ranging between 5 decimetres (20 in) and 7 decimetres (28 in) tall. The stems have a width of between 4 millimetres (0.16 in) and 7 millimetres (0.28 in) at the base. These stems are glabrous and glaucous below the base.[4]
The plant yellow flowers.[3]: 94 The flowers stand suberect with spreading sepals that are roughly 25 millimetres (0.98 in) long and 17 millimetres (0.67 in) wide. It has slender nectar spurs that are about 4 centimetres (1.6 in) and 5 millimetres (0.20 in) wide.[4]
The plant serves as a host to the larva of the columbine duskywing, Erynnis lucilius.[5] It is poisonous towards humans and animals.[6]
In 1985, Emily J. Lott proposed reevaluating A. hinckleyana and Aquilegia chaplinei as a varieties of A chrysantha, with A. hinckleyana renamed as ''A. chyrsantha var. hinckleyana.[9] Lott's reclassification of both plants has been adopted by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin.[5] Some commercial distributors have also referred to the plant using this classification.[3]: 94
Etymology
The word columbine derives from the Latin word columbinus, meaning "dove", a reference to the flowers' appearance of a group of doves. The genus name Aquilegia may come from the Latin word for "eagle", aquila, in reference to the pedals' resemblance to eagle talons.[5]Aquilegia may also derive from aquam legere, which is Latin for "to collect water", or aquilegium, a Latin word for a container of water.[10] Munz named the species for Hinckley, saying that it was "a pleasure to dedicate it to its discoverer".[4]
Distribution
Aquilegia hinckleyana is endemic to a small area area around Capote Falls in the Sierra Vieja mountains of northwestern Presidio County, Texas, the site of its type locality.[5][3]: 94 The falls is privately held as part of the Brite Ranch.[3]: 94 Hinckley reported that the plant formed "a thick bed on the always moist bank under the overhanging cliff at the fall".[4]
Conservation
The plant's NatureServe conservation status was last evaluated in 1997, when it was rated at T1 to indicate it as a critically imperiled variety of A. chrysantha. The Nature Conservancy identified pollution, overgrazing, and diversion of water as the primary threats to the plant and recommended the protection of 100 acres around the plant's range to encompass portions upstream.[1]
Cultivation
Aquilegia hinckleyana is a popular spring-blooming flower in Texas. Botanist Robert Nold noted its prevalence in nurseries, particularly in Texas, in 2003.[3]: 94 The plant remains commercially available.[5]
The 'Texas Gold' cultivar has golden-yellow flowers that are appreciated for their long spurs.[6] The plant favors well-drained soils that are high levels of organic matter. The cultivar can be grown in clay provided that it is in an elevated bed that prevents the roots from being in pooled water. When grown next to a deciduous tree, the plant is sufficiently shaded in the summer while exposed to enough sunlight during the winter. Propagation of 'Texas Gold' can be performed by division. The species is resistant to deer and rabbits while attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.[11][6] Removing flowers that have completed their bloom can encourage re-flowering but retaining flowers will enable self-seeding.[6]
