The Black Range

Harebell (a.k.a. Bluebells of Scotland), Campanula rotundifolia 
October 13, 2017
Railroad Canyon Campground to Holden Prong Saddle
Black Range, Grant County, New Mexico, USA

This species is native to much of the United States and Canada.  It is also found in northeastern Mexico and the temperate parts of Eurasia. This species has a large number of scientific synonyms and goes by a variety of English Common Names. 

On August 25,2014 we found a group of Harebells along Sawyers Peak Trail in the Black Range.  Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia, is an interesting plant in that (unlike what is shown here - photo above) the basal leaves, for which it is named, have usually fallen off of the plant before the flower appears - leaving only the small linear ones on the stems (photographs right).  Trying to understand where the scientific name came from, when looking at a flowering plant, is almost impossible in that circumstance.  There are a great many scientific synonyms for this species, indicating that the “lumpers” have won out in this case.

This species is found in appropriate habitat in northern Europe and North America.  It is found in all of the provinces of Canada and most of the states in the United States, being absent - primarily - from the southeastern states.  It is also found in the mountains of northern Mexico.  It seems to prefer poor soils, temperatures below freezing in the winter and moderate summer temperatures.  It is sometimes pollinated by bees but is also self-pollinating.