CAMPANULACEAE - Bluebell Family
Herbs
Leaves alternate, simple
Flowers bisexual, zygomorphic
to nearly regular
Fruit a capsule, opening by pores or longitudinal slits
Seeds numerous and small
70 genera, 2000 species
The Campanulaceae is divided into three subfamilies on whether
the flowers are zygomorphic or actinomorphic and anthers fused or
not.
Chief genera:
Campanula - actinomorphic
flowers
Lobelia -
zygomorphic flowers
Medicinal uses - Lobelias have been used as an emetic (the common
name of Lobelia inflata is pukeweed), expectorant, diuretic
and to treat syphilis (Lobelia siphilitica). Some are known to
be toxic and others are suspect. Campanula leaf tea has been
used for respiratory ailments.