Campanula shetleri
Castle crags harebell, Castle Crags Harebell
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Campanulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Campanula shetleri (Castle crags harebell) is a native California herb in the Campanulaceae family, recognized by six-sided leathery leaves and extremely limited range.
Castle crags harebell is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the eastern Klamath Ranges at Castle Crags in rock crevices at elevations of 1,300 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces pale blue to white flowers in delicate bell-shaped blossoms approximately 7 to 10.5 millimeters long. Growing as a dense, low-growing cluster with stems less than 5 centimeters tall, it is characterized by its rough, short, and stiff hairs. Its distinctive leaves are small, approximately 6 to 7 millimeters long, with a leathery texture and six-sided shape featuring a few large teeth. The plant's blue style and distinctive flower structure make it a unique inhabitant of its rocky mountain habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by six-sided leathery leaves and extremely limited range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rock crevices
Elevation: 1300-1500 m
California counties: Shasta, Siskiyou
Bloom period
Campanula shetleri blooms Jun-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 shetleri native to California?
Yes. Campanula shetleri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Campanula shetleri bloom?
Campanula shetleri blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Campanula shetleri grow?
Campanula shetleri occurs in Shasta, Siskiyou, at elevations of 1300-1500 m.
What plant family does Campanula shetleri belong to?
Campanula shetleri is in the Campanulaceae family, genus Campanula.
Is Campanula shetleri rare or endangered?
Campanula shetleri carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
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.