Piper's bellflower | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Campanulaceae |
Genus: | Campanula |
Species: | C. piperi |
Binomial name | |
Campanula piperi |
Campanula piperi (Olympic Harebell or Piper's bellflower) is a perennial flowering plant in the bellflower family endemic to cracks and crevices of high elevation rock outcrops in Olympic National Park on the Olympic Peninsula in the state of Washington.
Contents |
Stems grow in a cluster, with leaves growing out all the way to the top of the stem. Stems are 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm) tall. Stems and leaves are hairless. The leaves are spoon-shaped, sharply toothed, about same size from top to bottom, with wide petioles up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. Flowers in late summer (July to August), with one or a few flowers atop stem. Calyx with few bristles. Petals form open bell-shaped flowers, which are pale to medium blue or white, about 1/3 inch (8 mm) long.
The species grows on open rocky slopes, or crevices in cliffs, in subalpine and alpine environments. They are endemic to the cracks and crevices of high elevation rock outcrops in the Olympic Mountains of Washington. Some found on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The entire species is almost completely confined within Olympic National Park.
The common name Piper's bellflower is commemorates early Olympic peninsula botanist Charles Piper.