Tufted Bluebell

Images ©:
©

Nathan Fell via NatureShare, Chris Clarke via NatureShare |  Chris Clarke via NatureShare

Wahlenbergia communis


Small herb with many stems to 40 cm tall. Toothed bright green narrow almost hairless leaves. Single pale blue flowers on branching stalks in loose clusters.


Details
Flora Type
Herbs
Distinctive Features

Bell-like, bright blue, five petalled flowers to 2 cm wide, with narrow leaves. Distinguished by its alternate leaves up stem and relatively large bluebell flower.

Biology

Perennial with creeping, vigorous fleshy root system. Vigorous growth with a lifespan of more than five years. Widespread in disturbed sites.

Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Sep-Dec

Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Asterales
Family
Campanulaceae
Genus
Wahlenbergia
Species
communis

Hoverflies and butterflies collect the nectar. Flower and Crab-spiders prey on the insect visitors. Wahlenbergia flowers attract many kinds of native bees. Named after the Swiss botanist Goran Wahlenberg (1780-1851).


Interesting Facts
Similar Species

Similar to W. gracilis but flower twice the size. Also similar to Wahlenbergia graniticola.

Native Status
Native