2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Rapunzel bell (lat. Campanula rapunculus) - or
Bellflower, is a herbaceous biennial plant of the genus Bell (lat. Campanula) of the family of the same name Bellflower (lat. Campanulaceae). Its leaves have been used since ancient times in Europe for salads, like the leaves of Spinach, which is rich in vitamins. The root of the plant was also eaten, like a radish.
What's in your name
If the Latin and Russian names of the genus reflect the shape of a flower, similar to the shape of a bell, then in the species epithet "rapunculus" the culprit is the shape of the plant root, which resembles a turnip, more precisely, a small turnip. After all, the Latin word “rapunculus” is a diminutive of the Latin word “rapa”, meaning “turnip”, that is, we get the word “little turnip”. In Russian translation it sounds like, "onion bell".
The two-year-old Rapunzel Bell (Lat. Campanula rapunculus) should not be confused with the Perennial Rapunzel Bell (Latin Campanula rapunculoides), or the Bell-shaped Bell. The taproot of the latter is not only unsuitable for food, but also turns the plant into a vicious weed of vegetable gardens and orchards, which is very difficult to fight due to the fantastic vitality of the root system.
The official name of a plant of this species has many synonyms, since the plant was described by different botanists, at different times, and each gave its name to the same plant species. This introduces a certain amount of confusion when botanists define a plant, but does not affect ordinary fans of spectacular Bluebells so much.
Description
The spindle-shaped thick root of the plant resembles a small turnip and is good for food.
The height of the biennial bellflower varies from 40 to 80 centimeters, reaching one meter in particularly favorable conditions. The erect stem is branched in its upper part and slightly covered with hairs.
Leaves are divided into petiolate, forming basal rosettes, and sessile stem. The basal leaves are ovoid and have a slightly scalloped decorative edge. Leaves, sitting on a high obtuse-ribbed stem, glabrous, narrow-lanceolate.
Hermaphrodite (bisexual) flowers form racemose or paniculate inflorescences. The length of the whitish-bluish or purple bell-shaped corollas reaches two centimeters. The flowers are arranged along the peduncle in the form of a rather narrow one-sided brush. Flowering lasts a very long period, from May to October.
The fruit is an unfolding poly-seeded capsule in the shape of an inverted cone.
Bellflower rapunzel in the wild
This species is quite widespread in the wild. It can be found in dry meadows and along the roadsides of most European countries, with the exception of the Scandinavian countries, as well as in North Africa and Western Asia.
The plant prefers calcareous soils and tolerates drought better than dampness.
Usage
There was a time when the Bellflower was a fairly popular European plant, widely grown for its vitamin spinach-like leaves and its radish-like thick edible root.
If there are small hummingbirds in your area, then it is worth decorating your garden with blue bells of this species, since the sweet nectar of the flowers of this plant is a favorite delicacy of miniature birds.
It is interesting
The Brothers Grimm have a tale called "Rapunzel", the motives of which are clearly inspired by this plant species. Although there are a few more plants that are popularly called "Rapunzel".
Recommended:
Bell
Bell (lat.Adenophora) - a large genus of herbaceous plants belonging to the Bellflower family. In their natural environment, representatives of the genus grow on the territory of European and Asian countries. Typical habitats are bushes, meadows, and riverside zones.
Bell Bolognese
Bell bolognese is one of the plants of the family called bellflower, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Campanula bolonensis L. As for the name of the family of the Bolognese bellflower itself, in Latin it will be: Campanulaceae Juss.
Round-leaved Bell
Round-leaved bell is one of the plants of the family called bellflower, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Campanula rotundifolia L. As for the name of the family of the bellflower itself, in Latin it will be: Campanulaceae Juss.
Othran's Bell
Otran's bell (lat.Campanula autraniana) - a rare species of perennial plants of the genus Bell (lat.Campanula), belonging to the family of the same name Bellflower (lat.Campanulaceae). It is distinguished by semi-leathery green leaves, purple bell-shaped flowers of medium size and the absence of pubescence on all aerial parts of the plant.
Rapunzel Bell
Rapunzel bell is one of the plants of the family called bellflower, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Campanula rapunculoides L. As for the name of the rapunzel family itself, in Latin it will be: Campanulaceae Juss. Description of Rapunzel Bell Rapunzel bellflower is a perennial herb, the height of which will fluctuate between thirty and one hundred centimeters.
