Common name: Small Bellflower
Scientific name:Wahlenbergia Angustifolia
IUCN status: Vulnerable
Natural History
When the large bellflower was described as quite common by Melliss in the mid 1800s the small bellflower was described as quite rare. The roles has been completely reversed since that time. The small bellflower grows abundantly in many different areas on the island. A small creeeping plant, it can be seen growing in rock crevices and along the grass verges beside the road side.
DESCRIPTION
The small bellflower is similar to the large bellflower except that it is much more spreading habit. The narrow leaves are 20 mm in length and can also be slightly serrated. The white bellshaped flowers are 12 mm in diameter which can appear almost all year round. The main flowering months are July to August.
NUMBER OF SURVIVING POPULATIONS
The small bellflower can be found growing at Man and Horse Cliffs, Frenches Gut, peak Dale, Coles Rock Mount Vesey, Deep Valley, Rock Rose and many other sites around the island.
CONSERVATION RECOVERY PROGRAMMES
The small bellflower has been able to recover its numbers naturally without any intervention. There appear to be no real threats to the survival of this species at the present time.
The Environmental Conservation Section will continue to monitor the areas where the bellflower occurs record any changes in populations in the future.