Alaskan bellflower

Campanula alaskana

The Alaskan bellflower is a lovely flower that grows in the wild. It has beautiful blue or purple bell-shaped blooms that can brighten up any place they grow.

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The Alaskan bellflower is a small, upright plant with vibrant blue to purple, bell-shaped flowers that hang downwards. Its slender stems bear narrow, green leaves. These unique dangling bells make it distinct from other wildflowers in its chilly habitat.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyCampanulaceaeGenusCampanula

Photo: kallummcdonaldCC0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Alaskan bellflower

Interesting facts

Each delicate bell hides tiny seeds, ready to make more bellflowers!

Its scientific name, Campanula, means 'little bell' in Latin!

Some related bellflower species are actually edible, even their leaves!

This tough flower often grows wild in Alaska, even near icy glaciers!

Special abilities

Alaskan bellflower can survive freezing Arctic winters by having roots that store energy underground.

Alaskan bellflower has downward-facing bell flowers that shield its pollen from rain and harsh winds.

Alaskan bellflower can thrive in tough, rocky soils where many other plants struggle to grow roots.

Measurements & details

Height: 5-30 cm
Spread: 10-20 cm
Flower Size: 1-3 cm
Bloom Season: Summer (June-August)
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

Arctic Bumblebee

Bombus polaris

Main pollinator in its cold habitat

Eats

Arctic Ground Squirrel

Urocitellus parryii

Forages on leaves and stems in summer

Eats

Caribou

Rangifer tarandus

Graze on tundra plants including bellflowers

Traits

Bell-Shaped Flower

Bell-shaped flowers possess petals fused or arranged to form a cup-like or campanulate structure resembling a bell.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Ornamental

Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Cold Hardy

Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Mountain

This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't pick flowers, so they can keep growing for everyone to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Alaskan bellflower?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Alaskan bellflower?

5-30 cm

How wide does Alaskan bellflower spread?

10-20 cm

How big are the flowers on Alaskan bellflower?

1-3 cm

When does Alaskan bellflower bloom?

Summer (June-August)

Is Alaskan bellflower edible?

Is Alaskan bellflower toxic?

None

What is Alaskan bellflower's lifecycle?