Persistent and robust – that is the columbine. But also colorful, delicate and graceful. But until its flowers have formed, it is difficult for the layperson to recognize. Their leaves are anything but ordinary
What do the leaves of the columbine look like?
Columbine leaves are double tripartite, rounded lobed and notched at the edge. The upper sides are bluish-green, the undersides are gray-green and covered with fine hairs. Small rosettes emerge in spring, which later develop into long-stemmed basal leaves and sessile stem leaves.
The leaves over the course of the growing season
In spring - usually from March - the columbine sprouts its leaves. When young, the leaves resemble small rosettes. They are light green in color and darken over the weeks. After the flowering period is over in midsummer and the seeds form, the leaves wither. The columbine retreats into its rhizome.
How the leaves can be recognized
The summer green leaves of the perennial columbine create a herbaceous image together with the stems. The leaves form a rosette at the bottom. They are long-stemmed there. They are double threefold, roundly lobed, notched at the edge and appear pinnate.
Long stems shoot up from the basal rosette. There are leaves here too. However, these are sessile. In addition, their shape is elongated oval and they have no notches on the edge. Both the stem leaves and the basal leaves are bluish green above and gray-green below. There are also fine hairs on the underside.
The leaves are poisonous
As little as 20 g of the fresh leaves can cause symptoms of poisoning after consumption. Why? The leaves are poisonous and contain, among other things, the toxic substance magnoflorin and a glycoside that forms hydrogen cyanide. Among others, the following symptoms can manifest themselves:
- Cramps
- Breathing problems
- Diarrhea
- Nausea followed by vomiting
- Cardiac arrhythmias
Use the leaves for tea or poultices?
But if you dry the leaves or heat them, you don't have to worry about toxins. They are destroyed by drying or heating. For example, the leaves can be used for tea or poultices. They help with rheumatism, boils, gout and ulcers, among other things.
Tips & Tricks
The leaves are far less poisonous than the seeds. However, when handling them, such as when transplanting or cutting, it is better to wear protective gardening gloves (€9.00 on Amazon). Otherwise, irritated skin areas may occur.