Campanula aparinoides aka Bedstraw Bellflower

Campanula aparinoides, or marsh bellflower, lives for more than one year. It is part of the bellflower family, Campanulaceae. Chicago Botanic Garden lists it as native to the Midwest. The RHS says it is not native to Britain or Ireland. These sources do not give its full native range. Its fine leaves and stems that spread give it an unusual look for a bellflower. Small blooms add detail to its slim form.

The thin stems sprawl rather than stand up straight. They rest across nearby plants in moist prairie sites. This gives the plant a low form that spreads sideways. Thin leaves shaped like needles grow along the stems. Their prickly feel helps tell this plant from others. Chicago Botanic Garden likens their feel to cleavers, Galium aparine. Neither source gives the plant's height or spread at full size. We cannot state its size from these sources.

The tiny, cup-shaped flowers each have five petals. Each petal is white, with a thin lavender-blue stripe through its centre. This fine stripe gives the bloom a second colour. Long stalks, known as pedicels, hold the small blooms. Flowers grow alone or in small groups along the plant. Chicago Botanic Garden says it blooms in late summer. The bloom times it lists span July through October. The sources give no facts about fruit or seeds.

For garden use, Chicago Botanic Garden lists full sun or part shade. It calls for moist soil, which fits the plant's prairie home. The profile gives USDA hardiness zones 2–8. It does not say which soil texture or pH suits it. Nor does it give a UK hardiness rating. The garden lists this plant for beds or borders. Its stems that sprawl and small blooms are its main stated traits for garden use. The sources give no advice on how to prune or feed it.

The profiles focus on looks and basic needs for growth. They name no pests or diseases that affect this plant. They give no facts on parts to eat or use as medicine. Neither source shows that it is safe for people or pets. These gaps do not mean the plant is safe. The sources also leave open how pollination takes place. They do not settle its growth rate or its risk of becoming a weed.