Campanula takesimana Nakai, long treated as a distinct species, is now generally regarded as not being distinct from Campanula punctata and so is included here[].

Common Name: Chinese Rampion

General Information

Campanula punctata is an erect, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial plant often spreading freely from a rhizomatous rootstock. Flowering stems around 50cm tall rise up from the cluster of basal rosettes of rounded, toothed, medium green leaves that can be up to 12cm longl[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is often grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - eastern Siberia, Russian Far East, China, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Grassy slopes in lowland and low mountains all over Japan[]. Waste places such as roadsides and stony slopes on hills from the lowlands to elevations of 1,700 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.35 m
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Campanula punctata is a fairly cold-hardy plant, tolerating winter temperatures falling to around -10 to -15°c[].
Succeeds in most fertile well-drained soils[], though it prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in sun or partial shade[, ]. Plants appreciate part-day shade when growing in areas with hot summers[].
This species has proved to be difficult of cultivation in many gardens, though it spreads freely in others[] and can become invasive[]. It probably requires a very light soil, and is more inclined to die out when growing in clay[, ]. Where successful, the plants usually produce an abundance of seed and sometimes self-sow[, ].
The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true[]. This species is self-fertile[].
There are several named forms selected for their ornamental value[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

The flowers and leaves are used as potherbs[, , ]. The leaves are slightly hairy but they have a mild, pleasant flavour raw, with a subtle sweetness, and have been enjoyed by almost everyone we have given them to[]. Especially when eaten in the spring and early summer, they taste very similar to lettuce and are a pleasant addition to mixed salads[]. In the height of summer, however, the leaves often develop a slightly bitter flavour, especially if the plant is growing in a sunny position[].

Flowers - raw[]. A delicate flavour with a slight sweetness[]. Beautiful to look at, the flowers make a decorative and tasty addition to the salad bowl[].

Roots - raw, cooked or dried for later use. Known as 'do-ra-jee' in Korea, where they are eaten as a delicacy. The roots are a bit small and fiddly to utilize, though they are said to have a simply delicious flavour. (As Campanula takesimana)

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c. Easy[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Basal cuttings in spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring or autumn. Very easy[], larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.