Campanulaceae
The Campanulaceae family, commonly known as the bellflower family, represents a significant group of flowering plants encompassing over 2,000 species. While primarily known for their aesthetic value in horticulture, these plants possess distinct biological traits that define their role in both ornamental and ecological settings.
Main sections
What the section contains
Pratia
Pratia
5 items
Puerto Rican lobelia
Lobelia portoricensis
Purple lobelia
Lobelia purpurascens
Rainer's Bellflower
Campanula raineri
Rampion
Phyteuma
26 items
Reuter's bellflower
Campanula reuteriana
Rhomboid bellflower
Campanula rhomboidalis
Rumelian bellflower
Campanula rumeliana
Sarmatian bellflower
Campanula sarmatica
Sartor's Bellflower
Campanula sartorii
Saxifrage bellflower
Campanula saxifraga
Scheuchzer's bellflower
Campanula scheuchzeri
Sheep's bit
Jasione L.
Sheep's-bit
Jasione laevis
Sheep's-bit
Jasione montana
Shield bellflower
Campanula scutellata
Siberian bellflower
Campanula sibirica
Siphocampylus
Siphocampylus
2 items
Soft bellflower
Campanula mollis
Spanish bellflower
Campanula hispanica
Spiked bellflower
Campanula spicata
Spreading bellflower
Campanula patula
Spreading bellflower
Campanula sparsa
Spreading bellflower
Campanula macrostachya
Spruce bellflower
Campanula abietina
Star Bellflower
Campanula stellaris
Steven's bellflower
Campanula stevenii
Stone bellflower
Campanula petraea
Sulphur bellflower
Campanula sulphurea
Sweet bellflower
Campanula dulcis
Symphyandra
Symphyandra
Symphyandra wanneri
Campanula wanneri
Topalian bellflower
Campanula topaliana
Trachelium
Trachelium Tourn.
1 item
Trachelium
Trachelium
2 items
Triodanis
Triodanis
1 item
Tufted bellflower
Campanula caespitosa
Velebit bellflower
Campanula velebitica
Venus's looking-glass
Legousia hybrida
Wahlenbergia
Wahlenbergia
3 items
Wahlenbergia caledonica
Wahlenbergia caledonica
Wahlenbergia campanuloides
Wahlenbergia campanuloides
Wahlenbergia capensis
Wahlenbergia capensis
Wahlenbergia gloriosa
Wahlenbergia gloriosa
Wahlenbergia gracilenta
Wahlenbergia gracilenta
Wahlenbergia gracilis
Wahlenbergia gracilis
Wahlenbergia hirsuta
Wahlenbergia hirsuta
Wahlenbergia lobelioides
Wahlenbergia lobelioides
Wahlenbergia marginata
Wahlenbergia marginata
Wahlenbergia stellarioides
Wahlenbergia stellarioides
Wahlenbergia virgata
Wahlenbergia virgata
Waldstein's bellflower
Campanula waldsteiniana
Wandering bellflower
Campanula peregrina
Water lobelia
Lobelia dortmanna
Winged bellflower
Campanula alata
Yellow gentian-leaved bellflower
Campanula thyrsoides
Zangezur bellflower
Campanula zangezura
Zoys bellflower
Campanula zoysii
Campanulaceae
These plants are native to temperate regions across the Northern Hemisphere, with high concentrations found in the Mediterranean and mountainous zones of Asia. Their evolutionary history in diverse climates has resulted in a high degree of resilience, allowing them to thrive in various habitats ranging from rocky outcrops to open meadows.
Botanically, Campanulaceae are characterized by their milky sap and leaves that are usually simple and spirally arranged. The most recognizable feature is the floral structure: a five-lobed corolla often fused into a bell or star shape. This morphology is an evolutionary adaptation for specific pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.
Agricultural and horticultural success depends on providing well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a neutral pH. While species requirements vary, most prefer full sun to partial shade. Proper cultivation necessitates consistent monitoring of soil moisture, as these plants are highly susceptible to root rot if water drainage is inadequate.
Beyond their primary use in landscaping and the nursery trade, some species have historical applications in traditional medicine. Cultivation management often involves managing common pests like slugs and aphids, alongside preventative measures against fungal pathogens like powdery mildew, which thrives in high-humidity environments.