Practical
Plants

Campanula edulis

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.15 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Edible uses

Root - thick and sapid[4][2][3]. It is eaten by children[4].

Plant part
Root

Environment

Range
N. Africa - Arabia.
Habitat
Cracks in rocks in mountainous areas.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - surface sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Basal cuttings in spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy[6], larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. There is some doubt as to the validity of this name, the plant is closely related to C. dulcis and to the annual C. strigosa[6]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most well-drained fertile soils[7], but prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in sun or partial shade[1][5]. The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true[6]. The plants are self-fertile[6]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  4. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  6. Crook. H. Clifford. Campanulas - their cultivation and classification. Country Life 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

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