Rampion (Campanula rapunculus, Sp. Pl.: 164 (1753))

Family: Campanulaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 164 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Campanula

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Medit. and Iran

Description

Rampion, scientifically known as Campanula rapunculus, is a distinctive plant belonging to the Campanulaceae family. This species was first described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753.

Rampion is native to a wide geographical range, extending from Europe through the Mediterranean region and reaching as far as Iran. It thrives in a variety of habitats including grassy hillsides, meadows, and open forests, where it can benefit from well-drained soils and ample sunlight.

The plant is characterized by its elegant bell-shaped flowers, which typically bloom in striking shades of blue or violet. These flowers are not only aesthetically pleasing but also play a crucial role in the local ecosystem, attracting a variety of pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The foliage of Rampion is equally notable; it features a rosette of basal leaves that are often lance-shaped and toothed, contributing to its overall charm.

Historically, Rampion has also held significance in culinary and medicinal practices. In some cultures, the plant’s roots and leaves were consumed either raw or cooked, valued for their crisp texture and mildly peppery flavor. Additionally, traditional medicine utilized Rampion for its purported health benefits, which were thought to include anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.

Despite its historical uses, Rampion is primarily appreciated today for its ornamental value in gardens and natural landscapes. Its resilience and low-maintenance nature make it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add a touch of wild beauty to their plantings.

Overall, Campanula rapunculus or Rampion stands out as a plant of both historical importance and modern horticultural appeal, bridging the past and present through its enduring presence in diverse environments across Europe, the Mediterranean, and Iran.

Common Names

Dan: furet stenkløver, rapunsel-klokke, russisk stenkløver, serradel
Eng: rampion bellflower, rampion
Deu: rapunzel-glockenblume, rapunzelglockenblume
Swe: rysk sötväppling, serradella, kauriinkello, rapunkelklocka, ribbsötväppling
Fra: campanule raiponce
Fin: kauriinkello
Nob: rankklokke
Nld: rapunzelklokje
Nno: stautklokke
Ces: zvonek řepka
Cym: clychlys bwytadwy, clychlys erfin, clychlys erfinwraidd
En: Rampion, Rampion bellflower
Ar: جريس عصا يعقوب
Be: Званочак рэпчаты
Bg: Ряповидна камбанка
Ca: Repunxó, Rapuncle
Zh: 長髮公主桔梗
Cs: Zvonek řepka, Zvonek řepkovitý
Da: Rapunselklokke, Furet stenkløver, Rapunsel-klokke, Russisk stenkløver, Serradel
Nl: Rapunzelklokje
Eo: Rapunkolo
Et: Rapuntselkellukas
Fi: Kauriinkello
Fr: Campanule raiponce, Bâton de saint Jacques, Rave sauvage
Gl: Raponcio
De: Rapunzel-Glockenblume, Rapunzelglockenblume, Rapunzel Glockenblume
He: פעמונית קיפחת
Hu: Raponcharangvirág
Is: Ætibláklukka
It: Campanula commestibile, Raperonzolo, Raponzolo
Ml: കമ്പാനുല റാപുൻകുലസ്
Nb: Rankklokke
Nn: Stautklokke
Os: Къацциу
Pl: Dzwonek rapunkuł
Pt: Rapôncio
Ru: Колокольчик рапунцель
Sk: Zvonček repkový
Es: Raponchigo
Sv: Rapunkelklocka, Rysk sötväppling, Serradella, Kauriinkello, Ribbsötväppling
Zh-hant: 長髮公主桔梗
Tr: Frenksalatası
Cy: Clychlys bwytadwy, Clychlys Erfin, Clychlys Erfinwraidd

Synonyms

• Campanula lusitanica f. racemoso-paniculata ((Willk.) Cout.)
• Campanula rapunculus var. cymoso-spicata (Willk.)
• Campanula patula var. rapunculus ((L.) Kuntze)
• Campanula lusitanica var. cymosospicata ((Willk.) Cout.)
• Campanula lusitanica f. verruculosa ((Hoffmanns. & Link) Cout.)
• Campanula rapunculus var. racemoso-paniculata (Willk.)
• Campanula rapunculus var. elatior ((Hoffmanns. & Link) Lange)
• Neocodon rapunculus ((L.) Kolak. & Serdyuk.)
• Campanula racemosa var. paniculiformis (Vuk.)
• Campanula lusitanica f. bracteosa ((Willk.) Cout.)
• Campanula esculenta (Salisb.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jun 13, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by gilles collin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2008 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2019 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Roberto Dessì (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 31, 2020 by Zioivan Beirut (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2019 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Jean-François Baudin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2022 by jean-jacques kelner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2021 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 29, 2021 by Rico García Antonio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2020 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2017 by christophe gorla (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Luc Guislain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2021 by Philippe Levarlet (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 24, 2022 by Raúl (Este Madrid) (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2022 by Raymond Delcourt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Mamen Sasevi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2020 by Gaël Herve (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 1992 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by alain giroux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2018 by Carlos Villasante (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2020 by Peter Demuro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2021 by Francois ROBIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2021 by Béatrice Parent (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:140952-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5411920)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Campanula rapunculus L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]