Appearance

Campanula rapunculoides is an herbaceous perennial that is 1-3 in (cm) tall. The stems are smooth to slightly hairy and contain a milky liquid. It has rhizomes which help it to spread. It is native to Europe and temperate Asia. It is has escaped cultivation and naturalized in Australia, New Zealand, North America and South America.

Foliage

The rough, serrate leaves are alternate with hairs on the underside. Basal leaves are heart-shaped and 1-3 in (cm) long with long petioles. Upper leaves are narrow, lance-shaped and with little to no petiole. Leaves are reduced to bracts in inflorescence.

Flowers

The blue to blue-violet flowers are arranged in a long raceme. Individual flowers are about 1 in (cm) long and bell-shaped with five pointed lobes.

Fruit

It is a prolific seed producer with as many as 15,000 seeds per plant.

Ecological Threat

C. rapunculoides is seen invading fields, stream banks, woodlands, woodland edges, prairies, roadsides, urban areas, and oak savannas. It is weedy and aggressive, creating monoculture stands through high seed production and multiple rhizomes. It is very similar in appearance to several native Campanula species such as Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia. Some native violets have leaves which are so similar that it is a good idea to wait for the flowers to emerge, before identifying the C. rapunculoides for removal.

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Alberta Weed Control Act
• City of Ann Arbor Michigan Parks and Recreation
• Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
• Wisconsin Noxious Weeds
• Wisconsin's Invasive species rule – NR 40

References