Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
14 ratings

Thursday - January 03, 2008

From: Jacksonville, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identification of plant with bell-shaped flowers
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I am in need of a plant name to purchase. It is absolutely beautiful. The plant has light green leaves, the flowers that bloom look like bells (of course they hang upside down) any idea what the name of this plant is?

ANSWER:

The plant you describe sounds like a member of the Family Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family)—for instance, Campanula rotundifolia (bluebell bellflower). Since Mr. Smarty Plants doesn't know the color or size of the flower or whether it is native or an introduced ornamental, it's not going to be possible to give you a more definite identification. If you can photograph the plant and send us digital images, we will more likely be able to give you a name. To learn how to submit photographs, visit Ask Mr. Smarty Plants and read the instructions under "Plant Identification".

Here are several links where you can see photos of various species of the Campanulaceae and, perhaps, identify your plant:

Images of Campanulaceae Taxa

Plant World: Campanulaceae

Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants: Campanulaceae

Digital Flora of Texas, Vascular Plant Image Library: Campanulaceae

Rob's Plants: Campanuiaceae

Dave's Garden: Campanulaceae

The Family Ericaceae (Heath Family) also has plants with flowers that hang down like bells—for instance, Agarista populifolia (Florida hobblebush).


Campanula rotundifolia

 

 

More Plant Identification Questions

Pink flower in South Carolina, perhaps poisonous
July 09, 2008 - I saw a beautiful plant while touring Charleston, SC. I do not remember the name - the tour guide talked about a long time ago women giving it to their husband's in tea (maybe?) to kill them. Of co...
view the full question and answer

Identity of purple-leafed plant in formal garden in Quebec City
August 23, 2013 - I saw a plant in a formal garden in Quebec City that was low growing with purple leaves and clusters of deep purple pods/seeds about the size of grapes.
view the full question and answer

Instructions for Plant ID
August 28, 2008 - Hi- I have an unidentified small white flowering plant photo to try to identify. Would you be willing to see what you think it is or refer me to someone to whom I could send it? It was photographed on...
view the full question and answer

Plant identification of red flower in Austin
August 02, 2008 - What is the plant I have seen in urban landscapes in Austin, Texas, that have bright red flowers at the terminus of what looks like a spray of green, jointed, drooping branches (or stalks). It forms ...
view the full question and answer

Will Butterfly Plant Survive in Mansfield, Texas
January 06, 2012 - I have a butterfly plant that was very successful (about 4 feet tall) right up until the cold snap three weeks ago. I've read they have a tap root, so I'm hoping it will come back next spring. Mea...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.