SafePlants

Rampion: More Than Just a Wind Farm

The name "Rampion" might conjure images of wind turbines off the Sussex coast, but it's also a name deeply rooted in the botanical world. This page explores the fascinating world of plants that share the name "Rampion," alongside the story of the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm.

Common Names and Scientific Names

• "Rampion" is a common name applied to several plants.
• Specifically, the text mentions:
  • Campanula rapunculus: A European bellflower with an edible tuberous root. It was formerly cultivated as a vegetable.
  • Physoplexis comosa: Tufted horned rampion.
  • Phyteuma: A genus of wildflowers.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Campanula rapunculus is a species of bellflower.
• Phyteuma is a genus in an unspecified family.
• The text describes Phyteuma as having blue, tubular flowers, belonging to an unspecified family.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Campanula rapunculus is a biennial Eurasian plant.
• It has bell-shaped lilac flowers and an edible root.
• Rampion is described as being grown as an annual vegetable for its leaves and roots.
• Physoplexis comosa (tufted horned rampion) is described as having dense rounded flower heads of inward curving, typically blue, tubular flowers.

Historical and Traditional Uses

• Campanula rapunculus was formerly cultivated as a vegetable, with both its leaves and roots being edible.
• It was once used much more widely in Britain.

Quirky Facts

• According to the fairytale, "spiked rampion" was the plant Rapunzel stole, leading to her imprisonment in a tower. The plant is known as "white rampion" on the continent.

External Resources

The text references several organizations involved in the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm project. While not directly related to the plant, these could be useful if you're interested in the project: E.ON, Enbridge, Fugro, and the UK Green Investment Bank.