Every now and then when I’m out photographing wildflowers I’ll come across a bell-shaped flower that are frequently a lovely shade of purple. Over time I’ve learned these are likely to be members of the Campanulaceae family.
Common Harebell ( campanula rotundifolia) is a lovely wildflower native to much of the United States except for the southeastern most areas. These delicate perennials feature several blossoms on a single stalk, and the stalks are usually found growing in clusters. They can grow to 15″ tall. I’ve photographed Common Harebell in both Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.
Common Harebell © 2013 Patty Hankins
Common Harebell © 2013 Patty Hankins
Common Harebell © 2014 Patty Hankins
Common Harebell © 2014 Patty Hankins
Small Bellflower or Southern Harebell (campanula divaricata) is petite purple bell-shaped flower native to the Southeastern United States and to Connecticut and New Hampshire. The Small Bellflowers grow to about three feet tall with very small blossoms hanging down. The flowers are often less than half an inch tall. I photographed the Small Bellflowers along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina
Small Bellflower © 2013 Patty Hankins
Small Bellflower © 2013 Patty Hankins