It is an herbaceous perennial native to woodland and rocky slopes in eastern North America, prized for its red and yellow flowers.

The fern-like leaves are lobed and grouped in threes, growing from the base and off the flowering stems.

[4] Aquilegia canadensis is a highly decorative plant, valued for its attractive foliage and showy flowers.

Canada columbine contains a cyanogenic glycoside, which releases poisonous hydrogen cyanide when the plant is damaged.

[9] Aquilegia canadensis is found across the United States (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NM, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) and Canada (MB, NB, ON, QC, SK, BC).