Campanula jacobaea
In its own language: contra-bruxas-azul
A bellflower unique to Cape Verde’s humid uplands
Campanula jacobaea is a bellflower found only in Cape Verde, where it grows in moist upland areas. Locals call it contra-bruxas-azul, and it is used in traditional medicine and appears on a national coin.
- Endemic to Cape Verde’s upland humid regions
- Known locally as contra-bruxas-azul
- Listed as vulnerable by the IUCN
- Used in traditional medicine
- Appears on a Cape Verdean coin
What does Campanula jacobaea look like?
Campanula jacobaea is a flowering plant with blue bell-shaped blooms, typical of the bellflower family. It grows in moist or moderately moist upland habitats, often between 600 and 1000 meters above sea level. The plant is known locally as contra-bruxas-azul, which refers to its blue color and its use in folk traditions.
Where does Campanula jacobaea come from?
This species is native only to Cape Verde, an island nation off the coast of West Africa. It is found in upland regions on several islands, where the climate is humid or sub-humid. The plant has become a symbol of Cape Verde’s unique flora and is recognized for its limited natural range.
When and how Campanula jacobaea blooms
Campanula jacobaea grows in the wild, especially in areas with moderate to high humidity at higher elevations. It is not widely cultivated and is mostly found in natural habitats. The plant thrives in the local climate and soils of Cape Verde’s upland regions.
How Campanula jacobaea is used
People in Cape Verde have used this plant in traditional medicine, though the details of its uses are not widely recorded. Its local name suggests a role in folk practices. The flower also appears on a Cape Verdean coin, marking its importance as a national symbol.
Kinds of Campanula jacobaea
There are no notable varieties or cultivars of Campanula jacobaea mentioned in the sources. Its distinctiveness comes from being found only in certain Cape Verdean islands.
What Campanula jacobaea means
Campanula jacobaea is featured on the 5 escudo coin of Cape Verde, showing its cultural value. The plant’s local name, contra-bruxas-azul, hints at a role in traditional beliefs. It is listed as vulnerable, highlighting the need for conservation.
Questions people ask about Campanula jacobaea
Where does Campanula jacobaea grow?
It is native to Cape Verde and found in humid upland areas on several of the country’s islands.
What is the local name for Campanula jacobaea?
Locals call it contra-bruxas-azul, which means 'blue against witches' in Portuguese.
Is Campanula jacobaea used for anything?
Yes, it is used in traditional medicine in Cape Verde, though the sources do not give details.
What does Campanula jacobaea look like?
It has blue, bell-shaped flowers and grows in humid upland areas between 600 and 1000 meters.
Does Campanula jacobaea have cultural significance?
Yes, it appears on a Cape Verdean coin and its name is tied to local traditions.
Good reading and sources
- IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesIUCN Red List, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Campanula jacobaea on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Campanula jacobaea", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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