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, shown at left, 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".  However, I have found very few hybrids in the Four Corners area, although once one becomes tuned in to their characteristics and habitat, one finds them more often.   In the picture at left, the lower right flower is not open; the bud 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".