Campanulaceae

Taxonomy

Family name: Campanulaceae Jussieu

Synonym(s): Cyananthaceae J. Agardh; Cyphiaceae A. DC.; Cyphocarpaceae Reveal & Hoogland; Jasionaceae Dumort.; Lobeliaceae Juss., nom. cons.; Nemacladaceae Nutt.

Common name(s): bellflower family

*Number of genera/species: 92/2,300

List of genera records in GRIN-Global

Disseminule

fruit or seed

Description

Fruit a berryberry:
an indehiscent, fleshy fruit with one or a few to many seeds. The flesh may be homogenous throughout. Or, if the outer part is hard, firm, or leathery, referred to as an hesperidium. Septa are present in some, and the seeds may be arillate or with a fleshy testa.
or capsulecapsule:
a dry, dehiscent fruit derived from a compound ovary
, rarely a schizocarpschizocarp:
usually dry fruit splitting between two or more locules to form distinct, indehiscent, usually one seeded segments; fruit derived from a single, superior or inferior, compound ovary; compare to mericarp
(Theodorovia), 0.6–35 mm long, globoseglobose:
3D shape—more or less spherical
to angularangular:
2D shape—having sides that meet at acute or obtuse angles  
, rarely beakedbeak:
a usually firm, terminal appendage, sometimes tapered
, usually with many seeds, sometimes subtended or crowned by persistent calyxcalyx:
the outer whorl of the perianth; all the sepals of a flower
lobes. CapsulesCapsule:
a dry, dehiscent fruit derived from a compound ovary
usually dehiscedehiscent:
(v. dehisce) splitting open at maturity to release contents (of a fruit)
regularly by apicalapical:
at or pertaining to the end of the seed or fruit distal from its point of attachment (i.e., base)
or laterallateral:
(of embryo) embryo lies along the side of the seed, generally towards one end; of, at, or from the side; in grasses, can refer to the sides adjacent to the dorsal and ventral sides
valves, slits, or pores. Operculumoperculum:
a dehiscent cap (or lid) of a seed or fruit that opens during germination or dehiscence
present in Craterocapsa, Lysipomia, Parishella, Siphocodon, Rhigiophyllum, and Roella. Pericarppericarp:
fruit wall or fruit coat
brown (capsulescapsule:
a dry, dehiscent fruit derived from a compound ovary
) or black, blue, purple, red to yellow, greenish, or white (berriesberry:
an indehiscent, fleshy fruit with one or a few to many seeds. The flesh may be homogenous throughout. Or, if the outer part is hard, firm, or leathery, referred to as an hesperidium. Septa are present in some, and the seeds may be arillate or with a fleshy testa.
), usually thin, dry or membranousmembranous:
texture—extremely thin, pliable, and fairly tough
(capsulescapsule:
a dry, dehiscent fruit derived from a compound ovary
) or fleshy (berriesberry:
an indehiscent, fleshy fruit with one or a few to many seeds. The flesh may be homogenous throughout. Or, if the outer part is hard, firm, or leathery, referred to as an hesperidium. Septa are present in some, and the seeds may be arillate or with a fleshy testa.
), glabrousglabrous:
without hairs
or pubescentpubescent:
surface relief—bearing hairs
, smooth or 5–10-veined, papillosepapillate:
surface relief—bearing minute, distinct, broad-based projections, tapering to a rounded apex
, sulcatesulcate:
surface relief—having one or more elongate, relatively narrow and shallow depressions or grooves
to deeply sulcatesulcate:
surface relief—having one or more elongate, relatively narrow and shallow depressions or grooves
.

Seeds compressedcompressed:
flattened; in grasses, used to denote compression (not necessarily flattened) either laterally or dorsiventrally
or not, globoseglobose:
3D shape—more or less spherical
to trigonoustrigonous:
3D shape—having three faces that meet at distinct angles; triangular in outline
, lens-shapedlens-shaped:
2D shape—round and flattened with two curved (convex) surfaces
or tereteterete:
approximately circular in cross section; width and thickness approximately equal
in transection, usually 0.2–0.5(–4.5) mm long. Seed coat brown to black, sometimes orange, yellow, or white, shinyshiny:
uniformly reflecting a high proportion of incident light at all angles
or dulldull:
reflecting only a low proportion of incident light, with no apparent sheen
, thin, smooth or variously ornamented, sometimes longitudinally keeledkeel:
a longitudinal ridge, like the keel of a boat, formed by the lengthwise folding of a structure, such as a lemma or palea
. Broadly or narrowly winged in Cyphia spp., Codonopsis spp., Lobelia spp., Ostrowskia, Sachokiella, Trematolobelia, and Wahlenberia spp.

Embryo usually well developed, partially filling seed coat, axileaxile:
on or of the axis
and centric, linearlinear:
(shape) long, narrow, and uniform in width; (of embryo) embryo is straight and much longer than wide
or foliatefoliate:
appearing leaf-like
(spatulatespatulate:
2D shape—like a spatula; rounded at the apex, with base long and tapered; (of embryo) embryo is straight and axile and centric with the cotyledons expanded to form the shape of a spatula or spoon; (of cotyledons) cotyledons expanded and wider than the stalk but not invested into the stalk
), straight.

Endosperm copious or moderate, fleshy, smooth, oily, rarely starchy.

Weed information

Can be a weed in fields, wetlands, gardens, and grasslands. It spreads by seed reproduction or stolon propagation. Some species will often form dense clumps, predominant populations, or monocultures in suitable situations.

Aquarium & Pond Plants of the World tool includes descriptions and images of Lobelia species, which may be encountered.

Identification features

Fruit
Type	capsulecapsule: a dry, dehiscent fruit derived from a compound ovary , berryberry: an indehiscent, fleshy fruit with one or a few to many seeds. The flesh may be homogenous throughout. Or, if the outer part is hard, firm, or leathery, referred to as an hesperidium. Septa are present in some, and the seeds may be arillate or with a fleshy testa. , schizocarpschizocarp: usually dry fruit splitting between two or more locules to form distinct, indehiscent, usually one seeded segments; fruit derived from a single, superior or inferior, compound ovary; compare to mericarp
Size range	0.6–35 mm long
Shape(s)	broadly campanulatecampanulate: 3D shape—bell-shaped, circular in cross-section, inflated proximally, broadening gradually until flared distally , conicalconical: 3D shape—cone-shaped, with the point of attachment at the broad end , ovoidovoid: 3D shape—ovate , globoseglobose: 3D shape—more or less spherical , clavateclavate: 3D shape—club-shaped, with attachment at or near narrow end (compare obclavate) , angularangular: 2D shape—having sides that meet at acute or obtuse angles   , cylindriccylindrical: 3D shape—a cylinder, with parallel sides and a circular cross-section; tubular or rod-shaped (often slightly curvedcurved: (of embryo) linear embryo is curved into an arch or horseshoe with the ends far apart ), turbinateturbinate: 3D shape—broadly obovoid-obconic , hemisphericalhemispherical: 2D shape—shaped like half a sphere , oblongoblong: 2D shape—much longer than broad with nearly parallel sides, corners are rounded , ellipsoidellipsoid: 3D shape—elliptic , pear-shaped
Texture	capsulescapsule: a dry, dehiscent fruit derived from a compound ovary - thin, membranousmembranous: texture—extremely thin, pliable, and fairly tough , paperypapery: texture—papyraceous, chartaceous; very thin, pliable, and readily torn; like paper berries - fleshy and sometimes inflated (e.g. Burmeistera, Centropogon)
Surface relief	smooth, 5–10-veined, papillosepapillate: surface relief—bearing minute, distinct, broad-based projections, tapering to a rounded apex , sulcatesulcate: surface relief—having one or more elongate, relatively narrow and shallow depressions or grooves to deeply sulcatesulcate: surface relief—having one or more elongate, relatively narrow and shallow depressions or grooves
Color(s)	capsulescapsule: a dry, dehiscent fruit derived from a compound ovary - brown  berries - black, blue, purple, red to yellow, greenish, white
Unique features	Brown capsulescapsule: a dry, dehiscent fruit derived from a compound ovary dehiscing by valves, slits or pores, either at the apexapex: the point farthest from the point of attachment, or the "tip" of an organ (above the calyxcalyx: the outer whorl of the perianth; all the sepals of a flower lobes) or laterally (below the calyxcalyx: the outer whorl of the perianth; all the sepals of a flower lobes) and with numerous minute, dark-colored seeds. Or, dark- to light-colored, fleshy berriesberry: an indehiscent, fleshy fruit with one or a few to many seeds. The flesh may be homogenous throughout. Or, if the outer part is hard, firm, or leathery, referred to as an hesperidium. Septa are present in some, and the seeds may be arillate or with a fleshy testa. with numerous, minute seeds and no central placental mass.
Seed
Size range	0.3–4.5 mm long
Shape(s)	globoseglobose: 3D shape—more or less spherical , lenticularlenticular: 3D shape—lens-shaped; biconvex , ellipsoidellipsoid: 3D shape—elliptic , fusiformfusiform: spindle-shaped; broadest at the middle and tapering at both ends , oblongoblong: 2D shape—much longer than broad with nearly parallel sides, corners are rounded , cylindriccylindrical: 3D shape—a cylinder, with parallel sides and a circular cross-section; tubular or rod-shaped , ovoidovoid: 3D shape—ovate , often reniformreniform: 2D or 3D shape—kidney-shaped , angledangular: 2D shape—having sides that meet at acute or obtuse angles   , trigonal
Surface relief	smooth, ribbedribbed: surface relief—wide, prominent, linear ridges that are generally rounded and longitudinally situated on the surface , pittedpitted: surface relief—surface with small depressions in which the areas between the hollows do not take on the appearance of a true reticular net , longitudinally keeledkeel: a longitudinal ridge, like the keel of a boat, formed by the lengthwise folding of a structure, such as a lemma or palea , reticulatereticulate: surface relief—netted, raised walls or concave grooves forming a net-like surface pattern with flat, concave, or convex interspaces , striatestriate: surface relief—having fine, parallel lines, grooves or ridges , alveolatealveolate: surface relief—reticulated, honeycombed; ridges that intersect to form polygonal cells with a regular size and shape similar to a honeycomb , wrinkledwrinkled: surface relief—shallow, irregular folds and furrows covering the surface; appearing overall though crumpled and then spread out , wartywarty: surface relief—distinct, rounded projections that are large relative to the fruit size; tuberculate, verrucose
Color(s)	brown (all shades), black, orange, yellow, white
Unique features	Usually dark-colored, dust-like (0.2–0.5 mm long) seeds, not compressedcompressed: flattened; in grasses, used to denote compression (not necessarily flattened) either laterally or dorsiventrally , and often with raised sculpturing or fine parallel lines on seed coats.
Other
Embryo	usually well developed, partially filling seed coat, axileaxile: on or of the axis and centric, linearlinear: (shape) long, narrow, and uniform in width; (of embryo) embryo is straight and much longer than wide or foliatefoliate: appearing leaf-like (spatulatespatulate: 2D shape—like a spatula; rounded at the apex, with base long and tapered; (of embryo) embryo is straight and axile and centric with the cotyledons expanded to form the shape of a spatula or spoon; (of cotyledons) cotyledons expanded and wider than the stalk but not invested into the stalk ), straight
Nutritive tissue	endosperm copious or moderate, fleshy, smooth, oily, rarely starchy

Distribution

Worldwide distribution, primarily in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Distribution map courtesy of Angiosperm Phylogeny Website.

References

Bingham et al. 2021+Bingham et al. 2021+:
Bingham MG, Willeman A, Wursten BT, Ballings P, and Hyde MA. 2021. Flora of Zambia. Accessed January 2021–April 2024. URL: https://www.zambiaflora.com; Ghazanfar and Edmondson 2013Ghazanfar and Edmondson 2013:
Ghazanfar SA and Edmondson JR, eds. 2013. Lythraceae to Campanulaceae In: Flora of Iraq, Vol 5, part 2. Royal Botanic Gardens, KEW, London UK. 360 pp.; Hong 2015Hong 2015:
Hong D-Y. 2015. A Monograph of Codonopsis and Allied Genera (Campanulaceae). Elsevier Science & Technology, Science Press Beijing, London UK. 256 pp.; Hutchinson and Dalziel 1954–1972Hutchinson and Dalziel 1954–1972:
Hutchinson J and Dalziel JM, revised by Keay RWJ and Hepper FN. 1954–1972. Flora of West Tropical Africa, ed. 2, 3 Vols. 2300 pp.; Hyde et al. 2021aHyde et al. 2021a:
Hyde MA, Wursten BT, Ballings P, and Coates Palgrave M. 2021a. Flora of Botswana. Accessed January–April 2024. URL: https://www.botswanaflora.com/index.php; Hyde et al. 2021c+Hyde et al. 2021c+:
Hyde MA, Wursten BT, Ballings P, and Coates Palgrave M. 2021c+. Flora of Zimbabwe. Accessed January 2021–April 2024. URL: https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/index.php; Kirkbride et al. 2006Kirkbride et al. 2006:
Kirkbride JH, Jr, Gunn CR, and Dallwitz MJ. 2006. Family guide for fruits and seeds, vers. 1.0. Accessed September 2020-January 2022. URL: https://nt.ars-grin.gov/seedsfruits/keys/frsdfam/index.cfm .; Kubitzki et al. 1990+Kubitzki et al. 1990+:
Kubitzki K et al., eds. 1990+. The families and genera of vascular plants. 7+ vols. Berlin etc.; Shetler and Morin 1986Shetler and Morin 1986:
Shetler SG and Morin NR. 1986. Seed Morphology in North American Campanulaceae. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 73 (4): 653&-688. https://doi.org/10.2307/2399199; USDA 1980USDA 1980:
United States Dept. of Agriculture (USDA). 1980. Major weed family identification guide. Hyattsville Md, United States ; Thulin 1977Thulin 1977:
Thulin M. 1977. Campanulaceae. In: Flore d’Afrique centrale (Zaïre&-Rwanda&-Burundi), Spermatophytes, Bamps P, ed. Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Meise; Thulin 1984Thulin 1984:
Thulin M. 1984. Lobeliaceae. In: Flora of Tropical East Africa, Polhill R, ed. Prepared at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew with Assistance from the East Africa Herbarium. Balkema, Netherlands. 59 pp.; Thulin 1985Thulin 1985:
Thulin M. 1985. Lobeliaceae. In: Flore d’Afrique centrale (Zaïre&-Rwanda&-Burundi), Spermatophytes, Bamps P, ed. Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, Meise.; Tutin et al. 1976Tutin et al. 1976:
Tutin TG, Heywood VH, Burges NA, and Valentine DH, eds. 1976. Flora Europaea Vol 4: Plantaginaceae to Compositae (and Rubiaceae). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK. 534 pp.; Zhengyi et al. 2004+Zhengyi et al. 2004+:
Zhengyi W, Raven PH, and Deyuan H. 2004+. Flora of China [online]. 25 vols. Science Press, Beijing China & Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis USA. Accessed January–March 2024. http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

*The number of genera and species is based on Christenhusz and Byng 2016Christenhusz and Byng 2016:
Christenhusz MJM and Byng JW. 2016. The number of known plant species in the world and its annual increase. Phytotaxa 261 (3): 201-217. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1, which may differ from the number of genera in GRIN-Global.