The flowers are erect with pale yellow lanceolate sepals of 25–40 mm (0.98–1.57 in) length, spreading at right angles to the petals.

[7] The specific epithet longissima means "longest" in Latin, referring to the unusual size of the nectar spurs.

Aquilegia longissima is native to Trans-Pecos Texas and southern Arizona in the United States and Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Sonora in northern Mexico.

[9] The giant sphinx moth is a rare stray in west Texas and has been collected in Big Bend National Park near long-spur columbine populations; however, the common pollinators are likely large hawkmoths in the genera Manduca and Agrius with tongue lengths from 9–14 cm (3.5–5.5 in) long.

[10] One such population is found at Cattail Falls in Big Bend National Park, a site significantly impacted by human visitation.