Family: Polemoniaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 162 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Polemonium
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to Japan and Himalaya
Description
Charity, scientifically known as Polemonium caeruleum, is a notable and attractive plant that garners appreciation from gardeners and botanists alike. Originally chronicled in the seminal work, “Species Plantarum” by Carolus Linnaeus in 1753, this species has a rich history of cultivation and natural occurrence across diverse regions spanning Europe, Japan, and the Himalayas.
Belonging to the Polemoniaceae family, Charity thrives in moist, well-drained soils and is often found in meadows, woodlands, and alpine habitats where it enjoys a slightly shady environment. Its vibrant blue flowers, intricately arranged in clusters, serve as a stunning highlight in natural and cultivated landscapes. The plant’s compound leaves add to its ornamental appeal, creating a lush, textured backdrop that complements its vivid blossoms.
Charity’s widespread distribution from Europe to the far reaches of Asia highlights its adaptability and resilience in varying climatic conditions. This adaptability, coupled with its aesthetic appeal, makes it a popular choice among gardeners looking for a hardy yet beautiful addition to their collections.
Overall, the Polemonium caeruleum, or Charity, is a plant that not only enhances biodiversity but also offers a timeless beauty that bridges continents and cultures, standing as a testament to the enduring charm of nature’s wonders.
Common Names
Deu: blaue himmelsleiter
Eng: charity, greek-valerian, jacob’s-ladder, blue jacob’s ladder, blue jacob’s-ladder, greek valerian
Dan: jakobsstige
Swe: blågull, lehtosinilatva
Nor: fjeldflock
Nob: fjellflokk
Nno: fjellflokk
Hun: kék csatavirág
Fin: lehtosinilatva
Lav: zil
Nld: jakobsladder
Fra: polémoine bleue, polémoine, valériane grecque
Sme: rohtoalitcearki, alitcearki, alitgiera
Cym: llawathan, llawethan, nele las, ysgol jacob
En: Charity, Greek-valerian, Jacob’s-ladder, Blue Jacob’s Ladder, Jacob’s Ladder, Blue Jacob’s-ladder, Greek valerian
Ar: بولامون أزرق
Az: Mavi göyümçiçək
Ba: Фаягөл
Be: Сінюха блакітная
Zh: 花荵
Cs: Jirnice modrá
Da: Almindelig Jakobsstige, Jakobsstige
Nl: Jakobsladder
Et: Harilik sinilatv
Fi: Lehtosinilatva
Fr: Polémoine bleue, Polémoine, Valériane grecque
De: Blaue Himmelsleiter, Sperrkraut
Hu: Kék csatavirág
It: Valeriana greca
Kk: Шайтанкелмес
Ko: 꽃고비
Lv: Zilā kāpnīte, Zil
Lt: Mėlynasis palemonas
Se: Rohtoalitcearki, Alitcearki, Alitgiera
No: Fjellflokk, Fjeldflock
Nb: Fjellflokk
Nn: Fjellflokk
Fa: پلمونیوم کائرولئوم
Pl: Wielosił błękitny
Pt-br: Polemônio, Escada-de-jacob
Ru: Синюха голубая
Sk: Vojnovka belasá
Es: Valeriana griega
Sv: Blågull, Lehtosinilatva
Zh-tw: 花荵
Uk: Синюха блакитна
Cy: Llawathan, Llawethan, Nele Las, Ysgol Jacob
Synonyms
- Polemonium caeruleum subsp. vulgare ((Ledeb.) Brand)
- Polemonium elatum (Salisb.)
- Polemonium caeruleum f. vulgare ((Ledeb.) Regel)
Distribution
- Altay (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Japan (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Nepal (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Poland (native)
- Romania (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Belgium (introduced)
- Denmark (introduced)
- Iceland (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Minnesota (introduced)
- Netherlands (introduced)
- New Hampshire (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken May 23, 2020 by frederico (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 4, 2022 by T J (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Cesare (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 28, 2020 by Lotte Eisenstecken (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 23, 2022 by laure chevillard (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jul 26, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 13, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 2, 2022 by jaru mrak (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 28, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jul 10, 2022 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 26, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 12, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 28, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jul 25, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 20, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 24, 2022 by Else Nolden (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2020 by justin klamut (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jun 23, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Claude FIGUREAU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Aug 11, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Laurent PETIT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 18, 2020 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 21, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:689911-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2927850)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Polemonium caeruleum L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 6.5
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 7
Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]
Soil nutriments: 7