August 2, 2005.
Location not given to protect the plants.

Aquilegia coerulea has showy flared sepals and petals; Aquilegia elegantula is streamlined and cylindrical.  The hybrid of the two takes its shape from A. coerulea and its color from A. elegantula.

William Weber indicates that "since there are no genetic barriers between species of Aquilegia, hybrids are to be found between any species that come in contact".   In fifteen years, however, I have found only one grouping of hybrids.  Pictured here is one of the group: click for the other plant and more photos of this plant.  In the picture at left, the lower right flower is not open; it is just a bud and will open to look like the top flower with flared sepals.

Weber also indicates that the hybridization "causes some variability in [Aquilegia coerulea] but leaves Aquilegia elegantula pure".

Montane, subalpine. Woodlands, rocks. Spring, summer.
Shearer Creek Trail, May 17, 2006.

Shooting Star Columbine lacks the huge, showy sepals that fan out from Colorado Columbine petals and it does not usually grow in the dense showy patches that characterize Colorado Columbine, but Shooting Star Columbine is still a strikingly beautiful flower.  It is quite common in open woods where it can go unnoticed in the dense greenery around it, but on rock ledges it is obvious and very picturesque.  Flowers appear early in the spring at lower elevations and can be found throughout the mountain growing season.

Montane, subalpine. Woodlands, rocks. Spring, summer.
Bear Creek Trail, June 14, 2005.