Campanula intercedens Witasek. Bluebell, Harebell. Phen: Jun-Sep; Aug-Oct. Hab: Limestone outcrops, high elevation rocky summits (in thin soil over amphibolite), serpentine barrens. Dist: Campanula is a northeastern North American species that is a component of the circumboreal Campanula rotundifolia species complex. In our region, it is rare, and generally limited to limestone northwards and to mafic rocks in nw. NC. It was added to the flora of NC in 1991 (Three Top Mountain, Ashe County).

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: The Campanula rotundifolia species complex or aggregate is the subject of active research, resulting in the recognition of separate species at various ploidies, morphologies, and distributions. See Shetler (1982) for a detailed, traditional study of the species. Sutherland & Galloway (2018) studied the molecular phylogeny of the complex. The species is a complex of multiple ploidies and ecological races (Wilson et al. 2020), probably warranting recognition of some taxonomic entities, but not yet well-studied in our region. Based on very limited sampling, it appears that populations in our region are tetraploid (perhaps only).

Synonymy: = n/a – RAB; = Campanula rotundifolia L.; < Campanula rotundifolia L. – C, G, GrPl, K1, K3, K4, Mi, Mo2, NE, NY, Pa, Va, Rosatti (1986), Shetler (1982), Sutherland & Galloway (2018); >< Campanula rotundifolia L. var. lancifolia Mert. & K.Koch – F; >< Campanula rotundifolia L. var. rotundifolia – F, Il; >< Campanula rotundifolia L. var. velutina DC. – F, Il

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU (name change)
• Great Plains: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Midwest: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)