CAMPANULA ROTUNDIFOLIA L.

Harebell

 

FAMILY: Campanulaceae

HABIT: Perennial herb to 5 dm.; flowering June-September; fruiting July- October.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Extremely distinctive with its bell-like blue flowers and numerous linear leaves. Unlikely to be misidentified. The specific epithet is misleading, as the rounded basal leaves, to which the name refers, are seldom persistent to the flowering season.

TOTAL RANGE: Widely dist. in the boreal region, s. to N.S., ME, n. NJ, PA, WV, OH, IN, IL, MO, NE, TX, NM, AZ, and CA.

STATE RANGE: There are extant populations in Miami and Ottawa counties. Pre- 1960 records exist from 5 counties: Lorain, Paulding, Ross, Seneca, and Summit.

STATE STATUS: 1980-1999: Threatened, 2000 to present: Endangered.

HABITAT: Open to shaded, moist limestone cliffs and rocky shores.

HAZARDS: Disturbance of the cliff or shore habitat; trampling; rock-climbing.

RECOVERY POTENTIAL: Unknown, but presumed poor due to the rather limiting habitat requirements.

INVENTORY GUIDELINES: Mature flowering or fruiting material is needed for positive identification.

COMMENTS: Most of the extant stations of this species in Ohio are from the Lake Erie islands and shore in Ottawa County. Its current existence in Miami County and its former widely scattered distribution suggest that it could be somewhat more widespread in the state than current records indicate. It should be sought in areas of the appropriate habitat throughout western Ohio, especially in the southwestern portion.

SELECTED REFERENCES:

 

Cruden, R.W. 1962. The Campanulaceae of Ohio. Oh. J. Sci. 62: 142- 149.

Shetler, S.G. 1963. A checklist and key to the species of Campanula native or commonly naturalized in North America. Rhodora 65: 319-337.

 

Division of Natural Areas and Preserves

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

 

Created: 1/1983 James Burns

Database Code: SPNT.B02