Creeping Bellflower

Scientific Name: Campanula rapunculoides
Family Name: Campanuloideae




Flower: Purple, five-pointed bells 1 – 1.5 in. (2.5 - 4 cm.) long that grow up one side of a stiff stem. Sepals are pointed backwards towards the leaves on the opposite side of the stem.




Leaf: Heart-shaped and toothed on the bottom of the plant. The leaves shrink and become thinner towards the top of the stem.


Plant: Found from July to September, and it grows 1 – 3 ft. (30 – 90 cm.) tall.

Identifying Characteristics: The purple bellflowers are the most identifiable feature of this plant.

Location: We found Creeping Bellflower growing next to the loading dock of the Kosow Building, facing K-lot at Brandeis University.

History and Comments: Creeping Bellflower is native to Europe, and was introduced to the United States as a decorative garden flower. Despite its beautiful flowers, Bellflower can be a weed in lawns, where it can choke out grass. It has a very strong root system, which allows it to spread effeciently. Creeping Bellflower is considered invasive in several Western states as well as in Western Canada. Rapanzul of fairy tale fame takes her name from "rapunculoides" of Campanula rapunculoides.
    Unless otherwise specified, all text, photographs, and drawings are Copyright (c) by Shu-Yee Chen and Deborah Hamer 2003. No part of this page may be reproduced without prior written consent of the authors.