logo Wild Flower Web
Back

Click here to search for a different flower

Search

[?]

Open the Advanced Search

Harebell

Campanula rotundifolia

Campanula rotundifolia Campanula rotundifolia
prev photo 1 photo 2 photo 3 next

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Campanulaceae (Bellflower)
Also in this family:
Adria Bellflower, Californian Lobelia, Canterbury Bells, Clustered Bellflower, Cornish Bellflower, Creeping Bellflower, Garden Lobelia, Giant Bellflower, Heath Lobelia, Inchnadamph Rampion, Ivy-leaved Bellflower, Large Venus's Looking-glass, Lawn Lobelia, Milky Bellflower, Nettle-leaved Bellflower, Peach-leaved Bellflower, Rampion Bellflower, Round-headed Rampion, Sheepsbit, Spiked Rampion, Spreading Bellflower, Trailing Bellflower, Venus's Looking Glass, Water Lobelia
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
50 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Cliffs, fields, gardens, grassland, heathland, meadows, moorland, mountains, rocky places, sand dunes, sea cliffs, seaside, towns, woodland.

Flower:
֍
Blue, 5 petals
 
Nodding pale blue bell-shaped flowers on long stalks. Individual flowers up to 2cm in length.
Fruit:
A small nodding capsule, filled with minute seeds, up to 8mm long.
Leaves:
The long-stalked basal leaves are roundish, or kidney-shaped and have large rounded teeth which have normally wilted by flowering time. The leaves become shorter stalked as they go up the stem. The alternate stem leaves are linear and not toothed.
Other Names:
Blawort, Bluebell, Bluebell Bellflower, Bluebells of Scotland, Hairbell, Lady's Thimble, Roundleaf Harebell, Scottish Harebell, Witches' Bells, Witches' Thimbles.
Frequency (UK):
Common  

Other Information

Summary

Campanula rotundifolia, also known as Harebell or Bluebell bellflower, is a species of flowering plant in the Campanulaceae family. It is native to the northern hemisphere and is commonly found in meadows, woodlands and rocky habitats. It is a perennial plant that can grow up to 30 cm tall. It has slender stems with linear, basal leaves and bell-shaped, blue or purple flowers that bloom in the summer and early fall. The flowers are often nodding, held on long, slender stalks. The plant is hardy and easy to grow, it can tolerate poor soils, and prefers full sun to partial shade. It is commonly used in cottage gardens, wildflower gardens and as a cut flower.

Blog

Harebell, scientifically known as Campanula rotundifolia, is a delicate and beautiful wildflower that can be found growing in a variety of habitats across Europe, North America, and Asia. Also known as bluebell or Scottish bluebell, it is a popular garden plant and has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.

Physical Description

Harebell is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows up to 50 cm tall. Its stems are slender and wiry, and it has narrow, lance-shaped leaves that are rounded at the base. The leaves grow in a rosette at the base of the plant and become progressively smaller as they ascend the stem.

The plant produces delicate, bell-shaped flowers that hang from slender stalks. The flowers are usually blue or purple, but can sometimes be white or pink. They have five lobes and a distinctive central tube, and are around 2 cm long. The plant flowers from June to September.

Habitat and Distribution

Harebell is a hardy plant that can grow in a range of habitats, from rocky outcrops to meadows and grasslands. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North America, and can be found in a range of climates from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean.

In the UK, harebell is particularly associated with Scotland, where it is the county flower of Caithness. It can be found growing in a variety of habitats, from coastal cliffs and heaths to mountain tops and moors.

Uses

Harebell has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It has been used as a diuretic, a laxative, and as a treatment for respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis. It has also been used to treat wounds and skin conditions.

In addition to its medicinal uses, harebell is also a popular garden plant. It is easy to grow and its delicate, bell-shaped flowers make it a favourite of gardeners and flower arrangers alike.

Conservation

Despite its widespread distribution, harebell is considered to be a species of conservation concern in some countries. In the UK, it is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it illegal to uproot or destroy the plant.

Harebell is an important food source for a range of insects, including bees, butterflies, and moths. It is also an indicator species for calcareous grasslands, which are an important habitat for a range of rare and endangered species.

Harebell is a beautiful and delicate wildflower that is widely distributed across the northern hemisphere. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine, and is a popular garden plant. As a species of conservation concern, it is important to protect and conserve harebell and its habitat for the benefit of both wildlife and people.

Facts about the Harebell

Here are some additional interesting facts about harebell:

  1. The name "Campanula" comes from the Latin word "campana," which means "bell." This refers to the bell-shaped flowers of the plant.

  2. Harebell is sometimes referred to as "bluebell," but this name can be confusing as there is another plant called the "English bluebell" (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) which is a completely different species.

  3. Harebell is sometimes used in homeopathy as a treatment for anxiety and depression.

  4. In Scotland, harebell is sometimes called "witch's thimble" because of its association with witches and magic. According to folklore, witches would use the flowers to make a potion that would allow them to fly.

  5. The flowers of the harebell are often used in traditional medicine to treat eye problems such as conjunctivitis and styes.

  6. Harebell is a popular flower in Scandinavian folklore, and is associated with the god Odin. In Norse mythology, it is said that the flowers would ring when Odin rode past.

  7. The petals of the harebell flower are fused together at the base, forming a tube. This tube is an adaptation that makes it difficult for insects to steal nectar without pollinating the flower.

  8. Harebell is a symbol of humility and delicacy, and is sometimes used in poetry and literature to represent the fleeting beauty of nature.

  9. In some parts of Europe, harebell is used as a dye plant. The flowers are boiled in water to produce a blue or purple dye that can be used to color wool and other textiles.

  10. Harebell is a popular plant for rock gardens and alpine gardens, as it is well-suited to the well-drained, rocky soil found in these environments.

And some more facts...

  1. In addition to its medicinal and ornamental uses, harebell has been used as a culinary herb. The leaves have a mild, slightly bitter flavor and can be used in salads or as a garnish.

  2. Harebell is a member of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae), which includes over 400 species of plants.

  3. In some Native American cultures, harebell is used in ceremonial practices. For example, the Blackfoot people of Montana and Alberta use the plant as part of a purification ritual.

  4. Harebell is a popular flower in art and literature. It has been featured in the works of many famous writers, including William Wordsworth and John Keats.

  5. The blue color of the harebell flower is due to pigments called anthocyanins. These pigments are also responsible for the blue color of many other flowers, including blueberries, violets, and lavender.

  6. Harebell is sometimes confused with the heather plant, which has similar-looking flowers but belongs to a different family (Ericaceae).

  7. In some parts of Europe, harebell is used in traditional folk medicine to treat coughs and colds. The flowers are often made into a tea or syrup.

  8. Harebell is sometimes called "fairy bells" because of its association with fairies and other magical beings in folklore.

  9. Harebell is sometimes used in landscaping to create a naturalized or wildflower effect. It can be planted in meadows or along paths and borders.

  10. The scientific name for harebell, Campanula rotundifolia, comes from the Latin words "campana" (bell) and "rotundus" (round), referring to the bell-shaped flowers and rounded leaves of the plant.

Harebell, also known as Campanula rotundifolia, is a delicate and beautiful wildflower that is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. It is a member of the bellflower family, which includes over 400 species of plants.

Harebell has a slender stem that can reach up to 30cm in height, and produces delicate, bell-shaped flowers that are typically blue, but can also be pink or white. The flowers bloom from late spring to early autumn, and are a popular food source for bees and butterflies.

In addition to its ornamental uses, harebell has a number of medicinal properties. It has traditionally been used in herbal medicine to treat a range of ailments, including eye infections, respiratory problems, and anxiety.

Harebell is also a popular plant in folklore and mythology. In Scotland, it is sometimes referred to as "witch's thimble," and was believed to have magical properties. In Norse mythology, the flowers were said to ring when Odin rode past.

Harebell is a popular plant for rock gardens and alpine gardens, as it is well-suited to the well-drained, rocky soil found in these environments. It is also sometimes used in landscaping to create a naturalized or wildflower effect.

The leaves of the harebell plant are edible and have a mild, slightly bitter flavor. They can be used in salads or as a garnish. The flowers can also be used in cooking, and are sometimes boiled to produce a blue or purple dye that can be used to color textiles.

Overall, harebell is a fascinating and versatile plant that has captured the imaginations of people around the world for centuries. Whether used for medicine, food, or decoration, it is a true testament to the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Video

Harebell flowers filmed at Scout Scar, Cumbria on the 16th July 2022.

 

Please remember to Like and Subscribe to the WildFlowerWeb YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@wildflower-web

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map