Campanula scabrella
Rough harebell
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Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Campanula scabrella (Rough harebell) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by cushion growth form, velvety texture, and high elevation habitat.
Rough harebell is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range Foothills, and Warner Mountains on bare talus slopes at elevations of 2,100 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces powder blue flowers in delicate funnel-shaped blossoms about 7.5 to 10 millimeters long. Growing in dense tufts with stems less than 6 centimeters tall, it forms a compact, velvety cushion of vegetation. Its leaves are stiff and narrow, ranging to about 30 millimeters long, sessile and tapering toward the base. The delicate blue-styled flowers have ascending sepals and stamens with ciliate bases, creating a distinctive alpine miniature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by cushion growth form, velvety texture, and high elevation habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Bare talus slopes
Elevation: 2100-2800 m
California counties: Shasta, Siskiyou, Modoc, Trinity
Outside California: to Washington, Montana
Bloom period
Campanula scabrella blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Smithiastrum: Campanula has bell-shaped flowers split less than halfway; Smithiastrum flowers are tube-shaped with tiny lobes.; vs Phacelia: Phacelia flowers spiral on coiled stems with protruding stamens; Campanula bells hang singly on straight stalks.; vs Triteleia: Triteleia has 6-petaled flowers from a bulb; Campanula has 5-lobed bells from fibrous perennial roots.; vs Eastwoodiella: Eastwoodiella has deeply divided star-like petals; Campanula bells are only partially split.; vs Triodanis: Triodanis is annual with flat wheel flowers pressed to stem; Campanula is perennial with stalked bells.
Frequently asked questions
Is Campanula scabrella native to California?
Yes. Campanula scabrella is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Campanula scabrella bloom?
Campanula scabrella blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Campanula scabrella grow?
Campanula scabrella occurs in Shasta, Siskiyou, Modoc, Trinity, at elevations of 2100-2800 m.
What plant family does Campanula scabrella belong to?
Campanula scabrella is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Campanula.
Is Campanula scabrella rare or endangered?
Campanula scabrella carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.