Species library · Plants & herbs

Eastern Columbine: poisonous

Aquilegia canadensis

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Eastern Columbine is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from May to June in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland edges, Grassland. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Photo: (c) Nick Block, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Block · iNaturalist

When Eastern Columbine appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Eastern Columbine is usually found in Woodland edges, Grassland.

⚠ Look-alikes

European columbine☠ toxic
Western columbineWestern columbine☠ toxic
Colorado blue columbine☠ toxic

Look up Eastern Columbine in the app

In the Forage app, Eastern Columbine has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Eastern Columbine: common questions

Is Eastern Columbine poisonous?

Yes. Eastern Columbine is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Eastern Columbine appear?

Eastern Columbine usually appears from May to June in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Eastern Columbine grow?

Eastern Columbine is usually found in Woodland edges, Grassland.

What can Eastern Columbine be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: European columbine, Western columbine, Colorado blue columbine. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits