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Creeping Bellflower

Creeping Bellflower
Photo Credit: Nicole Kimmel, Alberta Agriculture & Forestry

Common Name: Creeping bellflower

Scientific Name: Campanula rapunculoides

Habitat: ornamental beds, disturbed areas, forests

Provincial Designation: Noxious

Noxious weeds are plant species that are designated as "noxious weeds" in the Alberta weed regulation. Noxious weeds must be controlled, meaning their growth or spread needs to be prevented.

Origin

Creeping bellflower is native to Europe and was introduced to North America as an ornamental flower.

Legislated Because

Creeping bellflower can be an aggressive invader in natural plant communities. It can survive droughts and survive in a wide range of light conditions. This plant’s thick creeping roots can travel under fences, lawns and concrete, making it very difficult to control. This plant is also resistant to many chemicals.

Description

The flowers are blue, bell-shaped, and nodding. Each plant has numerous flowers that are arranged on one side of the stem. The heart shaped leaves are 2-5 cm wide, have toothed edges, and are alternately arranged along the stem.

The plant grows up to 100 cm tall and has a creeping root (rhizome) which gives this plant its name. Plants reproduce by seeds and by the rhizomes and can re-generate from very small root pieces in the soil.