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Campanula alliariifolia

Common name:	Cornish Bellflower	Family:	Campanulaceae
Author:	Willd.	Botanical references:	17, 200
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	E. Europe to W. Asia. Naturalized in Britain, in &ndndndnd.
Habitat:	Open scrub and conifer forests, occasionally on cliffs but frequently on steep banks[271]. Naturalized on banks and rough ground, especially by railways, in southern England.
Edibility Rating (1-5):	3	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	0

Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Campanulales. Bellflower family

Physical Characteristics

A decidious perennial growing to 0.7m by 0.5m at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 3. It is in leaf from April to November, in flower from July to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles and Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. We rate it 3/5 for edibility and 0/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Dappled Shade, Walls, Ground Cover.

Edible Uses

Flowers; Leaves.

Leaves - raw or cooked[K]. The leaves are rather hairy and, especially as they age, have a slightly unpleasant bitterness. They are acceptable as a minor ingredient in mixed salads, but are generally less than pleasant to eat on their own[K].
Flowers - a pleasant taste and texture with a slight sweetness[208].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

None known

Other Uses

Ground cover.

Plants can be grown for ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each way, they form spreading clumps[208].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any well-drained fertile soil[233], but prefers a moist well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in full sun, though it also tolerates partial shade[1, 200, 208]. When grown in exposed and windy positions, plants tend to grow better when in a poor soil[271].
Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[200].
If the plant is cut back as the flowers fade, it will usually produce a second flush of flowers later in the season[271].
The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true[221]. The plants are self-fertile[221]. This species tends to produce seed abundantly in cultivation and will often self-sow[221, 271].
Plants can be naturalized in the light dappled shade of a woodland[200].
There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[200].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c[138]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Basal cuttings in spring[1]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring or autumn[200]. The plant has a thick fleshy root with a number of crowns. Whilst this can be divided if great care is taken not to damage the root, it is not really recommended because the divisions take a long time to become established[221].

Cultivars

'': No entries have been made for this species as yet.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[138] Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[208] Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.

[221] Crook. H. Clifford. Campanulas Country Life 1951
A comprehensive treatment of the genus.

[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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