Campanula persicifolia L. var. macrantha A.DC.

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.