Flower ID help?

I was hiking in an area with quite a few columbines yesterday and came across a small group of these. They were similar in size, leaves and shape to the columbine, but have blue inner petals that are more pointed than round? I was thinking it might just be some mutants as I couldn't find anything similar in my flower guides. Any help? (Also a little noise from my G9 shot at 200 ISO).

I'm no flower expert. But I'm with you. It's gotta be some variety of Columbine. Great color!

It is definitely a columbine. Not all have the pointed lobes on the backs. Maybe a cross with a european columbine (which don't have the lobes), but it may also be a native variety. I don't know of anything in particular in my books that would help identify it though.

I don't think there are any native Columbine without the stereotypical structure; lots of color variation, but the only shape variation is a "tighter" layout found in some Red Columbine. In fact, even the European Columbine images I've seen still have spurs and tube-shaped petals.

The flower itself is much more like a Clematis (same family as Columbine), but the leaf structure is 100% Columbine. Interesting and unique find!

Thanks for taking a look and trying. I suppose like the two headed calves, albinos and the worlds largest prairie dog there may just be some genetic oddities among flowers? Most certain it is some sort of variant of the columbine. Without extensive research I'm thinking it's a nomenclature opportunity. Aquilegia Rogericus?

I think you are looking at the Spurless Blue Columbine - perhaps a little past its prime. Usually the 5 inner petals are not quite so flat. (Aquilegia coerulea daileyae - named for an Anna Dailey from the Evergreen area in the 1800's.) Where did you find it? I have seen a few at Reynolds Park.

Good call, Karyn!

Karyn, I saw this in one of the drainanges of the Poudre a little ways up the canyon. Thanks for the ID!