Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Campanula persicifolia L. var. macrantha A.DC.

See Campanula persicifolia L. subsp. sessiliflora (K.Koch.) Velen. ex Greuter & Burdet.  Similar to this but with larger flowers of a violet hue.  

Horticultural & Botanical History

Curtis’s Botanical Magazine suggests an American origin for C. persicifolia var. maxima.  ‘Mr. Dickson, of Covent Garden, favoured me last Spring with roots of this plant, received by him from South-Carolina, in 1791.  Those who have been accustomed to see the Campanula persicifolia in its single state, now but rarely met with in our gardens, the two varieties with double flowers having usurped its place, will perceive in point of general habit a striking similarity betwixt it and the present plant; the only difference indeed appears to consist in size, and as size alone forms no specific character, we have been induced to regard this magnificent plant as a variety of that species.’  [BM t.397/1798].

According to Johnson’s Dictionary, Campanula macrantha, probably C. persicifolia var. macrantha, was introduced to Britain in 1822 from Russia.  Violet-flowered Campanula macrantha, a hybrid introduced in 1834, is described in Paxton’s Dictionary.  The identity of this plant is unclear but it may refer to a hybrid of C. persicifolia var. macrantha A.DC.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues [H.38/1845].

Notes

See also Campanula macrantha Fisch. ex Hornem., a possible identification for this plant.  Another possibility is Campanula bononiensis L., although this seems unlikely as Campanula micrantha Schur., a synonym for C. bononiensis L., was not described until 1866.  Campanula bononiensis L. is an erect perennial from Europe with pendulous blue-violet flowers, borne singly or 2-3 in a spike, in summer.  To 90cm.  Synonyms Campanula rapunculoides Pall. ex Steud., C. ruthenica M.Bieb.  [RHSD, Hortus].  C. bononiensis was introduced to Britain in 1773.  [JD].  BM t.2653/1826.

In the catalogues micrantha may be a printing error with macrantha intended.

Published Feb 06, 2009 - 03:04 PM | Last updated Jul 16, 2010 - 10:50 AM

The plant illustrated has large cup-shaped, purple flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.397, 1798.

Campanula persicifolia L. var. macrantha A.DC. | BM t.397/1798 | BHL

Family Campanulaceae
Category
Region of origin

Europe

Synonyms
  • Campanula persicifolia var. maxima Curt. 

Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Campanula micrantha 

Confidence level low