Campanula piperi

T.J. Howell

Olympic Harebell

G2Imperiled Found in 4 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G2ImperiledGlobal Rank
HighThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.152347
Element CodePDCAM020M0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderCampanulales
FamilyCampanulaceae
GenusCampanula
Other Common Names
Olympic bellflower (EN) Olympic Bellflower (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-03-21
Change Date2024-03-21
Edition Date2024-03-21
Edition AuthorsGamon, J. & K. Maybury (1996), rev. Eberly and Miller (2024)
Threat ImpactHigh
Range Extent1000-5000 square km (about 400-2000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 20
Rank Reasons
Campanula piperi is a perennial herb that occurs in the western United States, where it is endemic to alpine zones of the Olympic Mountains in Washington. A 2018 study found that this species habitat may contract by 86% by 2080 due to a changing climate. The species is also in cultivation at alpine plant nurseries and private gardens.
Range Extent Comments
Campanula piperi occurs in the western United States where it is endemic to high elevations of the Olympic Mountains of Washington.
Threat Impact Comments
Campanula piperi is potentially threatened by introduced mountain goats, which trample alpine vegetation. High elevation species of the Olympic Mountains are predicted to be impacted by a changing climate due to "a pronounced decrease in winter snow and an increase in growing-season moisture stress" and when considered with topography the loss of habitat is more severe (Wershow and DeChaine 2018). In this study, suitable habitat for Campanula piperi was found to contract by 86% by 2080 (Wershow and DeChaine 2018). While 2080 is beyond the time frame of the threat assessment, habitat loss, in the shorter term, is expected to reveal itself.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Campanula piperi grows in the alpine zone in rock crevices and cracks of outcrops, cliffs, talus, and scree at elevations of 1,500-2,104 m (Wershow and DeChaine 2018).
Terrestrial Habitats
AlpineBare rock/talus/scree
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN2
ProvinceRankNative
WashingtonS2Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesLarge (31-70%)UnknownHigh (continuing)
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseasesLarge (31-70%)UnknownHigh (continuing)
8.1.1 - Unspecified speciesLarge (31-70%)UnknownHigh (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weatherPervasive (71-100%)Serious or 31-70% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11.1 - Habitat shifting & alterationPervasive (71-100%)Serious or 31-70% pop. declineHigh (continuing)

Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (4)
Washington (4)
AreaForestAcres
Jefferson RidgeOlympic National Forest6,512
Jupiter RidgeOlympic National Forest10,148
Mt. ZionOlympic National Forest3,544
QuilceneOlympic National Forest18,656
References (5)
  1. Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J.W. Thompson. 1959. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest. Part 4: Ericaceae through Campanulaceae, by C.L. Hitchcock, A. Cronquist, and M. Ownbey. Univ. Washington Press, Seattle. 510 pp.
  2. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  3. Washington Natural Heritage Program. 1981. An illustrated guide to the endangered, threatened and sensitive vascular plants of Washington. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Olympia. 328 pp.
  4. Washington Natural Heritage Program. 1994. Endangered, threatened and sensitive vascular plants of Washington. Dept. of Natural Resources, Olympia, Washington. 52 pp.
  5. Wershow, S. T. and E. G. DeChaine. 2018. Retreat to refugia: Severe habitat contraction projected for endemic alpine plants of the Olympic Peninsula. American Journal of Botany 105(4):760-778.