Campanula chamissonis

Flower name
Campanula chamissonis
Scientific name
Campanula chamissonis
Alias千島桔梗, Chishimagikyou
Place of originJapan and other Asian countries and North America
Place of floweringHigh mountain
Flowering seasonJuly, August

What is Campanula chamissonis

Campanula chamissonis or Chishima-gikyo (Scientific name: Campanula chamissonis) is a perennial herb of the family Campanulaceae, genus Campanula. It blooms from early summer to summer in alpine screes, rocky places, and grasslands.
The rhizome creeps horizontally, forming clumps, and produces branched, low stems that grow upright.

The plant height is 5–13 cm. The leaves are spatulate, 2–9 cm long, with entire margins, and arranged alternately.
From July to August, a solitary flower arises at the tip of the flowering stem. The corolla is bluish purple, 3–3.5 cm long, and lasts for only one day. The flower is slightly nodding, campanulate, divided into 5 lobes, each bearing long white hairs.
There are five stamens, and at the base of the corolla there are triangular calyx appendages.

Etymology of the name
The genus name Campanula comes from Latin, meaning “little bell,” referring to the bell-shaped flowers.
The species epithet chamissonis honors Adelbert von Chamisso, a German botanist who discovered this species during his exploration of the Bering Sea.
The Japanese name “Chishima-gikyo” refers to a bellflower (桔梗) that was first discovered in the Kuril Islands (Chishima).

Similar species
Campanula chamissonis (Chishima-gikyo) and Campanula lasiocarpa (Iwagikyo) are similar in appearance.

General Information
Common name: Chishima-gikyo (Kuril Bellflower)
Scientific name: Campanula chamissonis
Taxonomy: Plantae, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Asterales, Campanulaceae, Campanula
Native range: Asia (including Japan) and North America
Plant height: 5–13 cm
Leaf: glossy, spatulate, 2–9 cm, reticulate venation, sharply serrated margins, alternate arrangement
Flower: actinomorphic, sympetalous, solitary, bluish purple, campanulate, 3–3.5 cm long, 5-lobed, lobes with long hairs, nodding orientation
Stamens: 5
Calyx: triangular with basal appendages
Flowering season: July–August
Fruit: Capsule
Uses: Alpine wildflower, ornamental

Related pages
Campanula chamissonis (Chishima-gikyo)
Campanula chamissonis
Campanula lasiocarpa