Family: Ranunculaceae

Aquilegia canadensis (Canada columbine, wild columbine) is an herbaceous perennial native to woodland and rocky slopes of eastern North America. Native Americans crushed the plants seeds and used them medicinally as a headache remedy, and it had many other uses in traditional medicine. It is reported to be naturalized throughout the United States but is not documented to be naturalized on any Hawaiian Islands to date. This plant is poisonous to humans and livestock, reaches maturity fairly quickly (2 years), and may form a persistent seed bank. This creates some cause for concern in terms of its ability to become invasive.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability
  
• Possible cultivation escape or agricultural weed
  
• Other species are invasive
  
• Unpalatable to some browsing animals
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Hybridizes with other species
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Reaches maturity in 2 years
  
• Seeds lack obvious means of dispersal, but may be moved by wind, water, animals, and people
  
• Seeds able to be stored for several years, may form a persistent seed bank
  
• Resprouts from caudex after fire and cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• A temperate species; may be a threat at cooler and higher elevations of tropical islands
  
• No confirmed reports of negative impacts where cultivated, but cultivation primarily occurs within broad native range
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Although self-compatible, outcrossing by hummingbirds and long-tongued bumblebees produces more vigorous offspring. Absence of these pollinators may limit competitive ability of seedlings
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively