Phyteuma nigrum - Black Rampion

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Asterales - Family: Campanulaceae

Quite a rare find in mainland Europe, this member of the bellflower family is not native to Britaion and Ireland.

Description

This upright member of the campanulaceae is a perennial and usually grows to a height of 30 to 50cm (occasionally to 60cm). It poduces egg-shaped to broadly spiked compound inflorescences 1,5 to 3cm across, comprising many tubular blue-black or violet-black individual flowers. The hairless ribbed stems are unbranching and have larger heart -shaped leaves near the base with a few smaller lanceolate leaves above.

Distribution

Native to central Europe and probably introduced further north, including parts of Scandinavia, this woodland wildflower's range extends at least as far south as central Italy, where thye specimens shown on this page were photographed during June.

Habitat

Phyteuma nigrum grows in open woodlands.

Flowering times

Black Rampion produces flowers from May to August.

Etymology

The specific epithet nigrum comes from Latin and means black.