Bluebell Campanula rotundifolia – a Neglected Species of Czech Flora

Rauchová J.

The aggregate species Campanula rotundifolia (harebell) includes several closely related and phenotypically similar taxa which often show a restricted range of distribution. One of the largely neglected taxa of Czech flora is the subendemic species C. gentilis. Its distinct morphological feature is the presence of short papillae on the calyx tube. The species is karyologically polymorphic and encompasses both diploid and tetraploid cytotypes. This rare bluebell has recently been recorded in 35 localities in Central, North and North-West Bohemia and in three localities in Bavaria. However, the number of localities as well as the total number of individual plants have been declining due to changes in vegetation cover.

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