SafePlants

Parry's Bellflower (Campanula parryi)

Campanula parryi, commonly known as Parry's Bellflower or Parry's Harebell, is a captivating perennial wildflower belonging to the Bellflower family (Campanulaceae). It's known for its vibrant purple bell-shaped flowers and its presence in the montane and subalpine meadows of the western and southwestern USA.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions the use of the root in traditional medicine. Although not explicitly stated, it is worth researching the medicinal properties of the root and any potential effects on pets if ingested.

Considerations for Children

• The text refers to the plant's habitat as meadows. When exploring such environments with children, it's important to supervise them and educate them about not ingesting unknown plants.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Campanula parryi A. Gray
• Family: Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family)
• Common Names: Parry's Bellflower, Parry's Harebell, Rocky Mountain Bellflower, Purple Bellflower
• Synonyms: The text mentions the USDA Symbol as a synonym, but does not explicitly provide what that symbol is.
• Subordinate Taxa: Campanula parryi variety parryi

Distribution and Habitat

• Parry's Bellflower thrives in montane and subalpine meadows.
• It's commonly found in the western and southwestern USA, including areas within the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.
• Specific locations mentioned include Cross Mountain Trail, Cerro Grande, and Bandelier National Monument.

Morphological Characteristics

• Campanula parryi is a perennial forb/herb, meaning it's a non-woody plant that isn't a grass and lives for more than two years.
• It grows to a height of approximately 0.3 meters (1 foot) and can spread to about 0.5 meters (1 foot 8 inches).
• The plant produces bell-shaped flowers with five fused purple petals.

Growth Habits

• The plant is described as growing at a fast rate.
• It is hardy to zone (UK) 4.

Traditional Uses

• The text mentions that the root has medicinal uses. Further research would be needed to understand these uses and any potential benefits or risks.

Quirky Facts

• While most flowers are blue or purple, some can be pink.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Parry's Bellflower is often found growing alongside other wildflowers like Lupine, Fleabane, Heart-leaved Arnica, and Bunchberry.

Further Information

• Discover Life: This website offers information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Campanula parryi.
• Dave's Garden: A community website where gardeners share tips, ideas, seeds, and plants.