any of about 300 annual, perennial, and biennial herbs composing genus Campanula of family Campanulaceae; bear bell-shaped, usually blue flowers; native mainly to northern temperate regions, Mediterranean area, and tropical mountains; many cultivated as garden ornamentals; tall bellflower (C. americana) is native to moist woodlands of North America; tussock bellflower, or Carpathian harebell (C. carpatica) grows in eastern European meadows and woodlands and has lavender to white flowers; Bethlehem star (C. isophylla) is native to Italy and is often grown in pots; Canterbury bell (C. medium) is native to southern Europe; rampion (C. rapunculus), native to Eurasia and North Africa, is grown for its roots and leaves, which are eaten in salads.