Aquilegia fragrans

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aquilegia vulgaris var. fragrans
• Aquilegia glauca
• Aquilegia glauca var. himalayica
• Aquilegia kanaoriensis var. suaveolens
• Aquilegia suaveolens
• Aquilegia vulgaris var. glauca
• Aquilegia vulgaris var. himalaica
• Aquilegia vulgaris var. suaveolens

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ranunculales, it is classified under the family Ranunculaceae. Its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Aquilegia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Aquilegia fragrans, exhibits a specific distribution across several key regions. In Western Asia, its presence is recorded within the country of Afghanistan. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is also found growing in Pakistan. Furthermore, its range extends into the West Himalaya region of the Indian Subcontinent. These locations define the primary geographical boundaries where this medicinal species can be located.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aquilegia fragrans is characterized by its preference for high-altitude environments, specifically occupying a specialized niche within montane or alpine ecosystems. This species thrives within a defined vertical distribution, ranging from an elevation of 2000 m AMSL to a maximum of 4000 m AMSL. This elevational range suggests that the plant is adapted to the unique climatic conditions found in these high-altitude zones, which often include significant diurnal temperature fluctuations, increased ultraviolet radiation exposure, and potentially thinner atmospheric pressures. Its presence within this specific altitudinal belt indicates a dependency on the particular soil compositions, moisture regimes, and pollinator communities unique to these elevated mountain habitats.

Elevational range max:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Aquilegia fragrans is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it undergoes a recurring biological cycle where it establishes itself in its habitat, develops robust root systems to store energy, and undergoes seasonal shifts in growth. Each year, the plant transitions from a dormant or vegetative state into a reproductive phase, producing distinctive flowering structures that facilitate genetic exchange. This long-term survival strategy enables the species to maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche, utilizing its perennial nature to recover from seasonal environmental fluctuations and contribute to the continuous regeneration of its population.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aquilegia fragrans is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence rather than an aquatic, semiaquatic, or obligate epiphytic lifestyle. The plant is a self-supporting species, lacking the climbing tendencies of a liana or vine, as it does not require external structures for vertical support.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aquilegia fragrans is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle and distinct seed characteristics. The plant begins its flowering period in May, maintaining its bloom through a prolonged season that concludes in September. During this reproductive phase, the production of seeds follows a highly consistent pattern, with the seed mass remaining uniform across the population. Specifically, the seed mass is recorded at a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 8e-04 g, indicating a lack of variance in the weight of the individual seeds produced.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Sep

Seed mass mean:

8e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aquilegia fragrans has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aquilegiolide, Glochidionolactone A, Magnoflorine.

Aquilegiolide

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Glochidionolactone A

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Magnoflorine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Aquilegia fragrans has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Aquilegia fragrans has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bovine mastitis, wounds.

Bovine mastitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Wounds

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Aquilegia fragrans has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude methanol extract, methanol extract of the underground parts.

Crude methanol extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanol extract of the underground parts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology