Common names:
Harebell, bluebell
Family:
Scientific name:
Campanula rotundifolia
Main flower color:
Range:
All the western states apart from Nevada; only small areas of Utah, Texas and California
Height:
Up to 40 inches
Habitat:
Meadows, open woodland, streambanks, hillsides, from medium to high elevations
Leaves:
Rounded at the base (withered before flowering); linear higher up the stem and up to 3 inches long
Season:
June to September
The bell-shaped flowers of campanula rotundifolia usually range from light blue to purple in color, but can also be white. Each bloom consists of five fused petals with pointed tips, curving ouwards slightly, and enclosing a purple style of about the same length, ending in a three-pronged stigma. Underneath the petals are five small, pointed, green sepals; noticeably shorter than for the otherwise similar campanula parryi. Sepals may stay close to the corolla, or project outwards, sometimes angled below the plane. Flowers grow singly or in small clusters, and hang downwards, hiding the center.
Leaves are narrow and point upwards, close to the stem; the larger basal leaves have a short life-span and wither away before flowering. The plant is common in most mountainous areas of the West, inhabiting moist or dry, semi-shaded locations.
Leaves are narrow and point upwards, close to the stem; the larger basal leaves have a short life-span and wither away before flowering. The plant is common in most mountainous areas of the West, inhabiting moist or dry, semi-shaded locations.
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