Campanula lasiocarpa

Flower name
Campanula lasiocarpa
Scientific name
Campanula lasiocarpa
Alias岩桔梗
Place of originparts of Asia including Japan, and North America
Place of floweringHigh mountain
Flowering seasonJuly, August, September

What is Campanula lasiocarpa

Campanula lasiocarpa or Iwagikyo (Scientific name: Campanula lasiocarpa) is an alpine perennial herb of the family Campanulaceae, genus Campanula, native to parts of Asia including Japan, and North America.
In Japan, it grows naturally in alpine rocky areas, screes, and grasslands from Hokkaido to the central regions.

Its height is 4–10 cm. The leaves are dull (without gloss), spatulate (narrow at the base), 2–5 cm long, with protruding serrations along the margins, and are arranged alternately.
From July to September, a solitary flower grows from the flowering stem. The corolla is campanulate (bell-shaped), 2–2.5 cm long (shorter than Campanula chamissonis), divided into 5 lobes at the tip, with no hairs on the lobes (unlike C. chamissonis which has hairs). The flowers are bluish purple (while C. chamissonis tends to be reddish purple), facing upward or slightly sideways (whereas C. chamissonis flowers face sideways).

Etymology of the name
The genus name Campanula means “little bell,” referring to the flower shape.
The species epithet lasiocarpa derives from Latin: lasi- (long soft hairs) + -carpa (fruit), indicating “fruit with long soft hairs.”
The Japanese name “Iwagikyo” means “bellflower (桔梗) that blooms in rocky places (岩).”

Similar species
Campanula chamissonis (Chishima-gikyo, 千島桔梗)
and Campanula lasiocarpa (Iwagikyo, 岩桔梗)
are similar in appearance.

General Information
Common name: Iwagikyo (Rock Bellflower)
Scientific name: Campanula lasiocarpa
Taxonomy: Plantae, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Asterales, Campanulaceae, Campanula
Native range: Asia (including Japan) and North America
Distribution in Japan: Hokkaido to central Honshu
Habitat: Alpine rocky areas, screes, grasslands
Life form: Alpine perennial herb
Plant height: 4–10 cm
Leaf texture: Dull, not glossy
Leaf blade: 2–5 cm
Leaf shape: Spatulate
Leaf margin: Serrated with protrusions
Leaf arrangement: Alternate
Flower symmetry: Actinomorphic
Corolla: Sympetalous, campanulate, 5-lobed, lobes glabrous
Flowering season: July–September
Flower color: Bluish purple
Corolla length: 2–2.5 cm
Flower orientation: Upward to slightly horizontal
Uses: Alpine ornamental, wildflower