Campanula edulis

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Campanula edulis
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Soil pH:6.6-8.4
Self Pollinated
Height:0.5'
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Campanula edulis

Propagation: Seed - surface sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Basal cuttings in spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Division in spring or autumn. Very easy[1], larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. There is some doubt as to the validity of this name, the plant is closely related to C. dulcis and to the annual C. strigosa[1]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.

Succeeds in most well-drained fertile soils[2], but prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in sun or partial shade[3][4].

The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true[1]. The plants are self-fertile[1].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[2].

Range: N. Africa - Arabia.

Habitat: Cracks in rocks in mountainous areas.

Edibility: Root - thick and sapid[5][6][7]. It is eaten by children[5].

Pollinators: Bees, flies, beetles, lepidoptera, self

Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Crook, H. Campanulas: Their Cultivation and Classification. Country Life, 1951.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
  3. Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  4. Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
  6. Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
  7. Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.