European species of columbine
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Aquilegia bertolonii, common name Bertoloni columbine or Bertoloni's columbine, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to Italy, southern France, and Slovenia. 
Description.
This is a dwarf species, growing to in height. In early summer each erect stem produces up to four spurred, blue-purple flowers.
Taxonomy.
"Aquilegia bertolonii" is most closely related to "Aquilegia einseleana", Einsele's columbine. The two species are estimated to have diverged from each other in the Pliocene around 1.23 million years ago, and form a sister clade to one containing the other European and some North and East Asian species of "Aquilegia", from which they diverged approximately 2.5 million years ago.
Etymology.
The specific name "bertolonii" honours the Italian botanist Antonio Bertoloni (1775–1869). When first describing this species, Heinrich Wilhelm Schott noted that Bertoloni had classified a specimen as "Aquilegia pyrenaica", but Schott considered this specimen to be too different for the identification to hold, instead describing it as a new species with Bertoloni's name.
Distribution and habitat.
"Aquilegia bertolonii" is native to the northwestern Apennine Mountains in Italy, also being found in southern France and three disjunct areas in the Slovenian Alps. It grows on cliffs or limestone areas, steep slopes, rocky areas, stabilised screes and woodlands.
Conservation.
Although listed as a Least Concern species overall by the IUCN Red List, "Aquilegia bertolonii" is protected by national legislation in France and by regional legislation in Italy, and is listed as Vulnerable in Italy and Rare in Slovenia.
Cultivation.
In cultivation this dwarf columbine is a useful subject for the rockery or alpine garden. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
References.
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