Aquilegia eximia

Stems 50-100 cm. Basal leaves 2-3×-ternately compound, 15-35 cm, much shorter than stems; leaflets green adaxially, to 10-48 mm, somewhat viscid; primary petiolules 21-90 mm (leaflets not crowded), glandular-pubescent. Flowers nodding; sepals perpendicular to floral axis, red, lance-ovate, 15-28 × 5-10 mm, apex narrowly acute or acuminate; petals: spurs red, straight, ± parallel, 18-32 mm, stout, abruptly narrowed near middle, mouth yellow, cut obliquely backward from insertion, blade thus absent; stamens 17-30 mm. Follicles 15-25 mm; beak 12-20 mm.

Flowering spring-summer (May-Aug). Damp rocky places; 0-2000 m; Calif.