Differs from the type variety by slightly smaller sepals and sometimes also the petals and shorter glandular follicles.

Fl. Per: July-August.

Type: In fissuris rupium prope pagan in provinca Kunawar; alt. 3500 m Jacquemont (P).

A-7 Gilgit: Naltar, 10,000', 18.7.1954, R.R. Stewart s.n. (RAW), B-7 Kashmir: Keran, fls. white, R.R. & I.D. Stewart 17630 (RAW), Swat: Batain, ± 9000', R.R. Stewart & A. Rahman 25280 (RAW), B-9 Baltistan: Shoro la, 3700 m, H. Hartmann 532 (RAW), Sailing-Kande E. Nasir & G.L. Webster 5935 (RAW).

Distribution: Gilgit, Kashmir eastward to Kunawar.

The isotype at Kew shows beyond doubt that Aquilegia kanawarensis Jacquem. ex Camb. is different from Aquilegia moorcroftiana Wall. ex Royle, contrary to earlier treatments by nearly all authors and also by Munz in his monograph. It takes the same position in relation to typical Aquilegia fragrans Benth. as does Aquilegia afghanica Bruehl (reduced here also to varietal rank) in relation to Aquilegia moorcroftiana. Aquilegia nakoai Tamura agrees with var. kanawarensis quite well according to the original description, but some of the characters mentioned seem to indicate similarity with Aquilegia moorcroftiana var. afghanica, and its exact position remains a little doubtful. The inner filaments bearing anthers are certainly no reason for specific separation of Aquilegia baltistanica Qureshi & Chaudhri.