Question: Hi Ace Botanists! =) Last summer in my yard I removed a bunch of invasive Campanula rapunculoides (bellflower) and replaced …
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Question
Hi Ace Botanists! =) Last summer in my yard I removed a bunch of invasive Campanula rapunculoides (bellflower) and replaced it with some Garden in the Woods Conoclinium coelestinum (mistflower). The mistflower was healthy, grew quickly, flowered and filled its patch. But this year when I look at where it was, all I see is bellflower, I think. I've spent some time with the GoBotany key and wikipedia, as well as iNaturalist. I guess I will wait for the flowers before pulling it up?
Answer
Dear waggledance, good morning. Conoclinum coelestinum has opposite leaves, but these are alternate (based on your nice images), which suggests Campanula rapunculoides. The leaf outline is a better match for the latter species. Because these bellflower has underground stems (i.e., rhizomes), it can be difficult to remove. It is capable of resprouting from the rhizomes. Good luck with your yard.
