Campanula rotundifolia

First overview block:Campanula rotundifolia,,Campanulaceae, Harebell, Bluebell bellflower, Bluebell-of-Scotland

Description

General: Perennial herbs with a branched system of rhizomes arising from a taproot, the stems 1-8 dm. tall, usually glabrous. Leaves: Basal leaves long-petiolate, the blades highly variable, from broadly ovate to cordate-rotund or oblanceolate, entire or toothed, up to 2 cm. long; cauline leaves alternate, fairly numerous, broadly linear, 1.5-8 cm. long. Flowers: Flowers several in a lax raceme, erect or nodding on long pedicels; calyx lobes 5, 4-12 mm. long, entire; corolla bell-shaped, blue, 1.5-3 cm. long, the 5 lobes much shorter than the tube; stamens 5, free from the corolla; style nearly equaling the corolla; ovary inferior. Fruit: Capsule 3-celled, nodding, broadly obconic, 4-8 mm. long.

Description 2: A delicate perennial with graceful, slender stems, usually in clusters, rising in height from 4-15 in. The stems can be weak so that the entire plant bends over. Its rounded, basal leaves wither early while the narrow, stem leaves remain. Blue-violet bell-shaped flowers hang singly or in clusters along the top parts of nodding, thread-like, mostly unbranched stems that grow in small patches. The nodding, bell-shaped, lavender flowers are borne in loose clusters at stem tips. The genus name, from the Latin campana (bell), means little bell. The name Harebell may allude to an association with witches, who were believed able to transform themselves into hares, portents of bad luck when they crossed a persons path. In Scotland, another old name for this plant was Witches Thimble. The characteristics of this perennial vary considerably, depending on habitat conditions. Among other common species are the Southern Harebell (C. divaricata), with wider leaves and smaller, white or pale lavender flowers, typical of wet, grassy meadows. The common garden Bellflower (C. rapunculoides), which frequently escapes from cultivation, has flowers usually borne on one side of the stems and lanceolate or heart-shaped leaves.

Distribution

Widely distributed throughout Washington; circumboreal.

Habitat

Ecological Setting-Open, rocky areas from low elevations to the sub-alpine. Soil Texture-Sandy, well-drained soils Moisture Regime-Dry soils Shade Tolerance-Mostly shade intolerant Successional Status-Early

Uses

Wildlife-Attracts hummingbirds. Bumblebees and swallowtail butterflies visit the campanula flowers Landscaping-Harebell is easily cultured and does well in a variety of sites including rock gardens. Flowers are long lasting. First Nations-Used by a number of different tribes as a ceremonial fumigant Other-Leaves may be eaten raw or cooked.

Propagation

SEED PROPAGATION

For best results, seeds should be sown inside and not covered after sowing. They should be bottom-watered. These seedlings will germinate quickly but will not flower until the second year. Root cuttings or stem cuttings stuck in damp sand are other propagation methods useful for this species.

FloweringTime	June- Sept
Seed CollectionTime	Late July through mid-Sept.
Crop Intervals	Perennial

References

Seed

Abbreviation:CARO

Seed sample from: 2011

Average Measurement: 1 x 0.4 x 0.2

Measurement Range: L: 1 - 1.1, W: 0.3 - 0.5, D: 0.2 - 0.3

Features

Shape: Seeds tapering slightly at hilium end and opposite apex.

Color: Hilium and opposite end are dark brown. The rest of the seed is light brown.

Surface:Seeds longitudinally striate and glossy.

Latitudinal Cross Section: elliptical

Longitudinal Cross Section: elliptical