Campanula rotundifolia

Harebell

Flora, fauna, earth, and sky...
The natural history of the northwoods

Name:

• Campanula, diminutive of the Latin campana, "bell", a reference to the shape of the flower.
• rotundifolia, from the Latin, rotundus, "round, spherical", and folium, "leaf"; hence, "round leaf", a reference to the shape of the basal leaves.
• Common name a compound of hare and bell, perhaps because of its growing in places frequented by hares (or perhaps not). Originally applied to the wild English hyacith or Blue Bell (Scilla nutans); later used in Scotland for this species, also known, therefore, as the "Blue Bells of Scotland".
• Other common names include: Liten blåklocka, blåklocka; skredblåklocka (Swe), Blåklokke (Nor), Blå-Klokke, Liden Klokke (Dan), Kissankello (Fin), Bláklukka (Isl), Bluebell, Bluebells of Scotland, Rundblättrige Glockenblume (Ger), Currac Cuthaige (Gaelic)

Taxonomy:

• Kingdom Plantae, the Plants
  • Division Magnoliophyta, the Angiosperms (flowering plants)
    • Class Magnoliopsida, the Dicotyledons 
    • Subclass Asteridae
      • Order Campanulales, the Bellflowers
        • Family Campanulaceae, the Bellflowers
          • Genus Campanula, the Bellflowers
• Taxonomic Serial Number:
• Also known as Campanula groenlandica

Description:

• A native herbaceous perennial, to 18" tall
• Leaves round, basal, sometimes disappearing by flowering time. Also linear and grass-like stem leaves.
• Stem very slender
• Flowers blue nodding, borne in terminal raceme.
• Sepals
• Petals
• Stamens
• Pistils
• Ovary superior (within blossom) inferior (below flower)
• Fruit
• Seed

Identification:

• Identifiable as
• Distinguished from
• Field Marks

Distribution:

• Alaska to Newfoundland,

Habitat:

Fire:

Associates:

• Trees:
• Shrubs:
• Herbs:
• Ground Covers:
• Mammals:
• Birds:

History:

Uses:

Reproduction:

• Sexually by seed
• Flowers
• Assexually by

Propagation:

• By rhizome division,

Cultivation:

• Hardy to USDA Zone 3 (average minimum annual temperature -40ºF)
• Cultural Requirements
• Light:
• Soil:
• Water:
• Spacing:
• Fertilization
• Size 12"-18"W x 12"-18"H
• Growth rate
• Good for
• Cultivars include
• variety 'Alba', with
• Cultivars and species available by mail order from specialty suppliers or at local nurseries
• Grows best in a rich, well-drained, moist soil, although soils of only moderate fertility will support this plant.
• Seeds readily and can become weedy.
• Available from nurseries and by mail order.

Links:

• Den Virtuella Floran, Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Stockholm

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