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Campanula rapunculus
This biennial herbaceous plant reaches on average 40–80 cm of height, with a max of 1m. The stem is erect, lightly hairy, branched on the top. The basal leaves are petiolated, ovate, slightly toothed and arranged in a rosette, while the upper leaves are sessile and narrow lanceolate. The hermaphrodite flowers are clustered in a racemose inflorescence, with a bell-shaped, light blue or violet corolla, about two centimeters long. They are arranged along the stem in a fairly narrow one-sided facing cluster. The flowering period extends from May through September.
Campanula rapunculus is present in western Asia, northern Africa and in most of Europe, except Iceland, Ireland and Norway. It has been introduced in Denmark, southern Sweden and Great Britain. This species prefers limestone soils and grows in dry meadows, cultivated beds, forests of oaks and pine trees, along roadsides and lane, at an altitude of 0–1,500 metres (0–4,900 ft) above sea level.
This species was once widely grown in Europe for its leaves, which were used like spinach, and its parsnip-like root, which was used like a radish. The Brothers Grimm's tale Rapunzel may have taken its name from this plant. The thick root looks like a small turnip and it is edible.
9 Comments
Tnx Sandra ;)
Thank you Bernadette ;)
Beautiful images and interesting info!
Nicely captured
Thank you :)
Wonderful spotting..!
Thank you Mona and Ali :)
Beautiful..
Beautiful!