Swamp bellflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swamp bellflower |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Campanula
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| Species: |
californica
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Campanula californica is a type of flowering plant in the bellflower family. It is often called the swamp bellflower or swamp harebell. This plant is special because it only grows in California, especially along the coast. You can find it in wet places like bogs, marshes, and damp forest floors.
This plant is a perennial, which means it lives for more than two years. It has a thin, creeping stem that grows between 10 and 30 centimeters long. The leaves are oval-shaped, a bit wavy, and about 1 to 2 centimeters long. Its flowers are pale blue and shaped like bells, with petals up to 1.5 centimeters long. After the flower, it grows a round, ribbed fruit called a capsule.
Contents
What is the Swamp Bellflower?
The swamp bellflower, or Campanula californica, is a unique plant. It belongs to the bellflower family, known for its bell-shaped flowers. This plant is a herb, meaning it has soft stems, not woody ones like trees. It also has rhizomes, which are underground stems that help it spread.
Where Does It Grow?
This plant is endemic to California. This means it naturally grows only in California and nowhere else in the world. You can find it along the coastline, from Marin County up to Mendocino County. It loves wet environments. Look for it in bogs, marshes, and damp areas of forests. These wet habitats are perfect for the swamp bellflower to thrive.
What Does It Look Like?
The swamp bellflower is a small plant. Its stems are thin and can creep along the ground. They usually grow to be about 10 to 30 centimeters long. The leaves are small, shaped like an oval, and have a slightly wavy edge. Each leaf is about 1 to 2 centimeters long.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers are the most noticeable part. They are shaped like tiny bells and are a pretty pale blue color. The petals curve gently, and each flower can be up to 1.5 centimeters long. After the flower blooms, it forms a small, round fruit. This fruit is called a capsule, and it has ridges on its surface.
See also
In Spanish: Campanula californica para niños
