Image of Campanula cochleariifolia Lam.

Description:

Slo.: trebuasta zvonica - Habitat: lightly overgrown south oriented scree slope; full sun, dry place; calcareous ground; growing with Dianthus sylvestris; elevation 2.000 m (6.560 feet), average precipitations ~ 3.000 mm/year, average temperature 1-3 deg C, alpine phytogeographical region. - Substratum: soil among calcareous scree and rocks. - Comments: Campanula cochleariifolia is one of the most beautiful bell flowers among almost thirty species from this genus growing in Slovenia. Usually one can find it in rock crevices; however, sometimes it forms large groups on ground with hundreds of flowering stalks forming wonderful displays. In these pictures it is shown with vividly pink Dianthus sylvestris. Campanula cochleariifolia grows in several mountains of Central and South Europe from about 600 m elevation upwards to almost the tops of the highest mountains in the Julian Alps (the highest find at 2.650 m). There are two other superficially similar species, which can be mistaken as Campanula cochleariifolia both growing at alpine elevations of Slovenian Alps: Campanula rotundifola (growing also in low land) and Campanula carnica. However, the first one has its buds turned upright and the second one has its fruits turned upright, while with Campanula cochleariifolia both are distinctly nodding. Ref.: (1) M.A. Fischer, W. Adler, K. Oswald, Exkursionsflora sterreich Liechtenstein, Suedtirol, LO Landesmuseen, Linz, Austria (2005), p 850. (2) A. Martini et all., Mala Flora Slovenije, Tehnina Zaloba Slovenije (2007), p 629. (3) H. Haeupler, T. Muer, Bildatlas der Farn- und Bluetenpflazen Deutschlands, Ulmer (2000), p 460. (4) T. Wraber, 2 x Sto alpskih rastlin na Slovenskem, (in Slovene), Preernova druba (2006), p 168 Nikon D70 / Nikkor Micro 105mm/f2.8