A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Aquilegia moorcroftiana
Beautiful and delicate blue flowers growing wild in Ladakh-a cold desert land.
Inside a rainwater drain by the side of a path lined with touristy things and leading to a monstery in Ladakh.
When I knelt down to photograph this plant, locals came over to ask what it was that interested me in the moist (clean) drain. When I said it was a pretty flower, they squinted at it and repeated the words "Beautiful. beautiful" in agreement but complete bewilderment; much as in when encouraging a child. It was clear the locals do not even glance at it twice. Definitely not a garden plant. Synonyms: Aquilegia wallichiana, Aquilegia fragrans var. kanaoriensis Many thanks to Machi for pointing me in the right direction.
Spotted on Jun 4, 2014
Submitted on Jun 17, 2014
5 Comments
Yay! You're welcome but you did all the work :) Glad you got an ID.
Machi...Just did!!! Common name: Moorcroft's Columbine
Botanical name: Aquilegia moorcroftiana Wall. ex Royle Aquilegia moorcroftiana Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)
Synonyms: Aquilegia wallichiana, Aquilegia fragrans var. kanaoriensis
http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/sl...
Thanks a million.
Well that is good then because it is probably not a cultivar, and you can find out the actual species!
Machi There was no garden where I saw it...a path leading to a monastery...this one was growing inside a drain...thanks for the Columbine hint. I now have a direction to search.
Columbine flower. These are actually often cultivated as garden plants, but if it was a wildflower for sure you may be able to find a definitive ID.