Aquilegia elegantula

Stems 10-60 cm. Basal leaves 2×-ternately compound, 15-30 cm, usually shorter than stems; leaflets green adaxially, to 11-33 mm, not viscid; primary petiolules 17-58 mm (leaflets not crowded), glabrous or pilose. Flowers pendent; sepals erect, red proximally, yellow-green distally, elliptic-ovate, 7-11 × 4-5 mm, apex rounded to acute; petals: spurs red, straight, ± parallel, 16-23 mm, stout (at least proximally), abruptly narrowed near middle, blades yellow-green, oblong or rounded, 6-8 × 3-4 mm; stamens 8-14 mm. Follicles 13-20 mm; beak 13-15 mm.

Flowering spring-summer (May-Jul). Moist coniferous forests, especially along streams; 1500-3500 m; Ariz., Colo., N.Mex., Utah; n Mexico.