Sometimes this plant is called 'Tall Bellflower.' The older scientific name is Campanula americana, but it has been reassigned to its own genus because of the unique structure of the flowers. The flowers of this tall-growing plant are showy, but individually short-lived. However, new flowers are produced in succession higher up on the spike. The other members of the Bellflower family that occur in Illinois, whether native or introduced, have bell-shaped flowers, while the flowers of the American Bellflower have a more open design with widely spreading lobes. Consequently, this species is easy to identify.

This native plant is an annual or biennial from 2-6' tall. Usually, it is unbranched, although sometimes a few side stems will develop from the lower central stem. The central stem is more or less hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 6' long and 2' across, tapering to slender petioles. They are lanceolate to ovate, with serrated margins and a rough upper surface. The central stem terminates in a spike of flowers about ½–2' long. From the axils of the upper leaves, secondary spikes of flowers may develop, but these are much shorter (about 1–6' in length). Each flower is about 1' across, and varies in color from light to dark violet-blue, depending on the local ecotype. The corolla has 5 spreading lobes that are divided nearly to the base; they have a satiny appearance under bright light, and tend to have margins that twist and curl. In the center of the flower is the top of a 5-angled ovary, from which a light violet style is strongly exerted. This style bends downward from the flower, but curls upward near its tip; the small stigma is white and divided into 3 lobes. The flower is often white toward the center, rather than blue-violet. The green tubular calyx is strongly ridged and has 5 long narrow teeth that curl backward when the flower opens. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, and lasts about 1½ months. The seed capsule is 5-angled and rather flat-topped. The root system consists of a taproot.

American Bellflower is a common plant that occurs in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to slightly dry deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, and thickets. It is often found along woodland paths, and appears to prefer slightly disturbed areas.

Campanula americana var. illinoensis (Fresen.) Farw.:
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Campanulastrum americanum (L.) Small:
Canada (North America)
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Campanula americana L.:
Canada (North America)
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Canada

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

American Bellflower is a common plant that occurs in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to slightly dry deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, and thickets. It is often found along woodland paths, and appears to prefer slightly disturbed areas.

Long-tongued bees are the primary pollinators of the flowers, including bumblebees and large Leaf-Cutting bees (Megachilidae). Among the latter, is the oligolectic bee Megachile campanulae campanulae. Other visitors of the flowers include Halictid bees, butterflies, and skippers. These insects seek nectar, and some of the bees collect pollen from the anthers. Syrphid flies may feed on the pollen, but they are not effective pollinators. Deer occasionally eat the flowers and foliage.

Campanulastrum americanum (American Bellflower)
(Bees usually suck nectar, although some bees collect pollen as indicated below; Syrphid flies feed on pollen and are non-pollinating; other insects suck nectar; all observations are from Robertson)

Bees (long-tongued)
Apidae (Apinae): Apis mellifera sn; Apidae (Bombini): Bombus griseocallis sn, Bombus impatiens sn, Bombus pensylvanica sn fq; Anthophoridae (Eucerini): Melissodes bimaculata bimaculata sn; Megachilidae (Megachilini): Megachile brevis brevis sn, Megachile campanulae campanulae sn cp olg, Megachile petulans cp; Megachilidae (Coelioxini): Coelioxys modesta sn

Bees (short-tongued)
Halictidae (Halictinae): Agapostemon sericea sn, Augochlorella striata cp np, Halictus rubicunda sn, Lasioglossum imitatus cp np; Colletidae (Colletinae): Colletes latitarsis sn np; Colletidae (Hylaeinae): Hylaeus affinis fp np

Wasps
Tiphiidae: Myzinum quinquecincta sn

Flies
Syrphidae: Trichopsomyia apisaon fp np

Butterflies
Nymphalidae: Vanessa cardui sn

Skippers
Hesperiidae: Staphylus hayhurstii sn

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.


No available public DNA sequences.

Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 3
Specimens with Barcodes: 3
Species With Barcodes: 1

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

The preference is light shade to partial sun, moist to mesic conditions, and a rich loamy soil. During a drought, this plant often drops its lower leaves. Depending on moisture conditions and the fertility of the soil, the size of this plant can be highly variable.