RAMPION 169 



N. and E. Yorks, S.W. Yorks, Durham, Fife, Kinross. It is 

 doubtfully wild. 



Rampion is found on gravelly pastures, on roadsides, and along 

 hedge-banks, especially in the south of England. While not con- 

 fined to chalky districts it is more common in such areas. 



The name Rampion and the second Latin name (from rapiim, 

 turnip) refers to the character of the root. The stem is simple or 

 branched, tough. The leaves are stalkless, smooth or hairy, wavy, 

 the radical leaves lance-shaped, oval, scalloped, having- a narrow leaf- 

 stalk. 



The small pale-blue flowers are in an erect, long, terminal raceme, 

 or clustered panicle, which is narrowed, with awl-shaped calyx segments 

 which are entire. The capsules are erect, stalked. Pores occur just 

 below the calyx segments. 



The stem is 3 ft. high. The flowers are at their best in July and 

 August. The plant is biennial, cultivated for the roots. It is sown 

 in the spring for autumn gathering. 



The flower is similar to that of the Harebell, but is much larger, 

 and the plant is more local. It is quite adapted to cross-pollination. 

 A doubt as to its being native deprives it of some interest in this 

 connection (but cf. Bluebell or Harebell). 



The capsule is perforated at the top, and the seed is scattered by 

 the wind. 



Rampion is largely a sand-loving plant growing on sand soil, 

 but it flourishes best on gravelly soil. 



It is infested by the fungi Pseudopeziza radians and Puccinia cam- 

 panula. A moth, The Shark (Cucullia umbratica), feeds upon it. 



Rapunculus, Lonicerus, is from Latin rapum, turnip, a diminutive 

 of it, from the shape of the roots. 



This beautiful bell-flower is called Rampion and Ramps. By 

 Gerarde it was called Rapuntium paruum. 



The root was once eaten as a salad, and the plant cultivated. The 

 root was eaten raw or boiled. In France and Italy it has been much 

 cultivated. It may be eaten hot with sauce or cold with vinegar or 

 pepper. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



1 88. Campanula Rapunculus, L. Stem tall, rough, angular, leaves 

 crenate, radical leaves lanceolate, elliptic, stem-leaves linear-lanceolate, 

 flowers pale-blue, erect, clustered, in a small panicle, calyx-segments 5, 

 subulate. 



