margin. Corolla large, spreading, of a deep blue, about the
size and shape of that of Campanula persicifolia, inflated, turbinate
and depressed at the top in aestivation, the lobes
semi-ovate, rather acute. Filaments linear, pale, membranous,
dilated at the base into a broad, orbicular, petaloid
disk, of a violet colour, and bearded above with white hairs.
Anthers linear, bilocular, cream-coloured, the cells parallel,
connate, opening lengthways, with the connectivum produced
into a short point. Ovarium 5-celled, the upper half
free and conical. Style thick, round, scarcely so long as the
free portion of the ovarium. Stigma green, 5-lobed, with an
obconical base, copiously hairy, the lobes oblong, semicylindrical,
with a thick, blunt, hooked point. Capsule 5-celled,
opening at the top by 5 elevated valves.
One of the showiest of this showy group of plants, and
although introduced many years ago, it is still far from
common in our gardens. It has entirely the habit of
Adenophora, another genus separated from Campanula, and
is chiefly distinguished from Wahlenbergia, by the broad petaloid
bases of the filaments.
It will be found to thrive best in a mixture of peat and
loam, and is increased by parting the roots, or by seeds.
Our drawing was taken at Mr. Knight’s Nursery, King’s
Road, Chelsea.
The generic name is compounded of irXarvc, broad, and
KivSwv, a bell-flower, literally meaning great bell-flower.
D. Don.
1. Stamens and Pistil. 2. Stamen separate.