Aquilegia flabellata
Aquilegia flabellatafam. Papaveraceae
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
Pl. 2FED — Aquilegia flabellata
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IOverview
Overview
Aquilegia flabellata, commonly known as the Japanese columbine, is a perennial plant native to regions including Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Inner Mongolia, Irkutsk, Japan, Khabarovsk, and Korea. This plant thrives in moist, light (sandy) to medium soil and can tolerate full sun to partial shade, making it adaptable to various growing conditions. Known for its ornamental value as well as its edible parts—both the flowers and leaves are consumable—it is a versatile addition to gardens. One distinctive feature of this plant is its unique leaf shape, which resembles a fan or hand (hence the specific epithet flabellata), setting it apart from other members of the Aquilegia genus.
Quick answers
What is Aquilegia flabellata?
Aquilegia flabellata, commonly known as the Japanese columbine, is a perennial plant native to regions including Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Inner Mongolia, Irkutsk, Japan, Khabarovsk, and Korea.
What is Aquilegia flabellata used for?
Traditionally used for stress & anxiety, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Aquilegia flabellata
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Aquilegia flabellata appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a decoction. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
- Aquilegia species have been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for digestive issues, often prepared as a decoction. While specific compounds are not well-documented for Aquilegia flabellata, related species may contain compounds that support gastrointestinal health.
Not fully characterised; related Papaveraceae species contain alkaloids and other secondary metabolites which can influence digestive processes.
IV·bMixology suggestions
2 drafts
Mixology suggestions
2 draftsEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Stress Relief
stresstincture
Historically used to soothe nervous tension.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Aquilegia flabellata thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist, light (sandy) or medium soil. It is hardy in zones 3-9 and can grow up to 0.3 meters tall. For propagation, use division or seed sowing. The plant is perennial and native to regions including Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Inner Mongolia, Irkutsk, Japan, Khabarovsk, Korea. Its edible parts include flowers and leaves.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
3-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Aquilegia flabellata for the first time
8steps
Start with Skip by ensuring you have the right conditions and care, making it a simple addition to your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
A small pot or spot in the garden, seeds or young plants, well-draining soil.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant Skip in early spring or late fall when temperatures are mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use a light, sandy or medium soil. Ensure the pot has good drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Sow seeds directly outdoors after danger of frost is past or start young plants indoors 4-6 weeks before planting.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil moist and provide partial shade to help the plant establish.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Provide light to partial sun exposure.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead flowers to encourage more blooms and maintain a neat appearance.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, not providing enough sunlight, neglecting to prune spent flowers.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeaves
Edible uses: Tea
Other uses:Pest control
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
13 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
13 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 13 native
Asia3 regions
native (3)ChinaJapanSouth Korea
Broader regions
native:Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Kuril Is., Primorye, Sakhalin, Yakutskiya
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Papaveraceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Papaveraceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
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