| Campanula zoysii | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Campanulaceae |
| Genus: | Campanula |
| Species: | C. zoysii |
| Binomial name | |
| Campanula zoysii Wulfen., 1788 |
|
| Approximate range of C. zoysii in Europe | |
Campanula zoysii (known commonly as Zois' Bellflower, Zoysi's Harebell,[1] or Crimped Bellflower[2]) is a flower in the genus Campanula (bellflowers).
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The flower is endemic to Austria, northern Italy (Friuli–Venezia Giulia and Veneto), and Slovenia.[3] It grows most readily in limestone crevices in the Julian and Kamnik–Savinja Alps, as well as in the Alps of Italy and Austria.[4]
C. zoysii can survive in temperatures as low as -35 to -40 °C (-31 to -40 °F).[4] Garden pests include slugs and snails.[5]
The plant tends to grow low, reaching anywhere from 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3 in) in height, though some plants may grow as tall as 23 cm (9 in).[1] Tufts (or "cushions") of the plant tend to creep outward as it grows.[4] Seedlings require two years to grow to flower.
The species is unique among its genus of bellflowers. The mouth of C. zoysii's bell-shaped flower narrows, ending in a five-pointed star, while the flowers of other Campanula species are likewise bell-shaped, but open.[4][6] (The "pinched" shape of these flowers nonetheless manages to allow insects inside for pollination.) The flowers are arranged one to three for each stem.[1] The plant's pale sky blue- to lavender-colored flowers bloom in June over a three- to four-week period.[4]
Leaves are crowded at the root, stalked, ovate and blunt; stem leaves are obovate, lance-shaped and linear.[1]
C. zoysii is held in high regard in Slovenia. It is considered a symbol of the Slovenian Alps, and called "the daughter of the Slovene mountains".[4] It is highly esteemed as an ornamental plant in rock gardens. The September 1905 issue of Gardeners' Chronicle praises C. zoysii as "choicest and most distinct ... of a genus comprising flowers of the greatest beauty and of the highest merit in the garden".[7]
The plant is named in honor of its discoverer, botanist Karl von Zois (1756–1800).[4] It was first described by Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin in 1789.[3][note 1]