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Campanula carpatica Jacq. var. turbinata (Schott, Nym. et Kotschy)

This taxon is not treated in Flora Europaea, not even as a synonym of Campanula carpatica Jacq. perennial, H chasmophytical plant, xeric, subalpine, seemingly calciphyle Carpathian R63 habitats           A misterious crisply hairy Campanula which looks like and is clearly related to Campanula carpatica but however there are some clear distinguishing characters on its side. It can be the subalpine correspondent of the mentioned species as can be seen in Ciucas Massif. Also according to the treatment provided by Flora Reipublicae Popularis Romanicae vol. IX and to the material present in the Babes-Bolyai University Herbaricum (CL) there are many intermediate forms. It can be the pressure of the harsher environment from the subalpine areas (colder temperatures, arid barren rocks) which selects these hairy forms of Campanula carpatica high up in the mountains while on the much sheltered and humid rocks from the boreal belt below the well known typical glabrous form predominates. In this case, this gradual passing of the populations from the glabrous forms in the boreal to the hairy ones in the subalpine can serve as an excellent cline example for evolutionists. However, further studies about the nature of the relations between Campanula carpatica and Campanula carpatica var. turbinata are strongly needed. Ciucas Mountains, Prahova county, headwaters of Berii valley area, cca 1800m asl on barren dry rocks. This xeric hairy form lives here while immediately below in the shade of the boreal forest, on humid rocks there is present the common glabrous form. 22nd of August 2006. dr. Alexandru Badarau, alexandru@transsilvanica.com Postavaru Mountains, Brasov county, July 2011. Bogdan Iuliu Hurdu, hurdesbi@yahoo.com