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Alternate Leaved Forbs

creeping bellflower (Campanula ranunculoides)

Species in this group are biennial or perennial forbs with alternate leaves. Species can be differentiated based on overall plant size; leaf size and shape; and flower size, shape, and color.

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Resource Table

ClassificationCommon NameOther Common NamesScientific NameOther Scientific NamesFactsheetsVideosStatewide Distribution MapNational Distribution MapLook-Alike Species
RestrictedAquatic forget-me-notMyosotis scorpioidesFactsheetState MapNational MapPDF
RestrictedBalfour's touch-me-notImpatiens balfouriiFactsheetState MapNational MapPDF
RestrictedCreeping bellflowerCampanula rapunculoidesFactsheet 1
Factsheet 2 		VideoState MapNational MapPDF
RestrictedCrown vetchCoronilla variaSecurigera variaFactsheet 1
Factsheet 2 		VideoState MapNational MapPDF
RestrictedCypress spurgeEuphorbia cyparissiasFactsheetState MapNational MapPDF
Prohibited/RestrictedDalmatian toadflaxLinaria dalmaticaFactsheetState MapNational Map
ProhibitedGrecian foxgloveDigitalis lanataFactsheet 1
Factsheet 2
State MapNational MapPDF
RestrictedHelleborine orchidEpipactis helleborineFactsheetState MapNational MapPDF
RestrictedHound's tongueCynoglossum officinaleFactsheetState MapNational Map
RestrictedLeafy spurgeEuphorbia esulaFactsheet 1
Factsheet 2 		VideoState MapNational MapPDF
ProhibitedLesser celandineFig buttercupRanunculus ficariaFactsheetVideoState MapNational MapPDF
RestrictedQueen of the meadowFilipendula ulmariaFactsheet 1
Factsheet 2		State MapNational Map
ProhibitedSericea lespedezaChinese lespedezaLespedeza cuneataLespedeza sericeaFactsheet 1
Factsheet 2
State MapNational Map
RestrictedWoodland forget-me-notMyosotis sylvaticaMyosotis sylvaticumFactsheet 1
Factsheet 2		State MapNational MapPDF

Species Summary Table

Scientific NameCommon NameLeavesFlowers Seeds
Campanula rapunculoidesCreeping bellflowerHeart-shaped, coarsely-toothed; getting smaller and stalkless at top of plantBell-shaped purple flowers, 1” long, arranged on one side of stem; June – Oct.50-150 seeds from each flower
Cynoglossum officinaleHound’s tongueToothless, hairy leaves up to 5” long with pointed tip, smaller and shorter- stalked at top of plantRacemes of 5-petaled maroon-purple 1/3” flowers; May- July½” across, 4- sectioned fruited covered in hooked hairs
Digitalis lanataGrecian foxgloveStalkless, toothed oval to lance shaped; usually 3-5 parallel veinsElongated spike at top of plant; 1” long flowers with 1/3” long bowl-shaped tube; creamy white with brownish venation; June- Aug.Pod covered with hooked hairs
Epipactis helleborineHelleborine orchidToothless, stalkless leaves clasp stem; 1 ½ - 6” long, oval to lance shaped with pointed tips and prominent parallel veinsUp to 50 irregular, ½ - ¾” flowers arranged in spike-like cluster; lower petal forms bowl, 2 lateral petals flare out above center column; color from pale yellow to green to pink to deep red- purple; July – Aug.Egg-shaped capsules
Euphorbia cyparissiasCypress spurge1/8” wide leaves up to 1 ½” long, larger at top of plant; densely packed on young plants, so leaves may look whorled or opposite; dark green to blue green; milky sapFlat to round cluster of yellow-green flower structures; pair of ¼” yellowish bracts that look like petals surround 4 tiny flat glands; whorl of 10+ leaf-like bracts at base of terminal flower cluster; May – Aug.3-sectioned capsule, 1/8” across, covered in tiny bumps
Euphorbia esulaLeafy spurgeNarrow leaves 1-3” long, larger at top of plant; milky sapFlowers very similar to cypress spurge; plant overall larger; May – Sept.Same as cypress spurge
Filipendula ulmariaQueen of the meadowCompound, toothed, 5-9 leaflets; terminal leaflet with 3-5 lobes; upper surface smooth; underside densely hairy; pair of stipules at base of stalkBranching clusters of ¼- 1/3” white, 5-petaled fragrant flowers bloom from bottom of cluster up; June- Aug.Slender, twisted, ridged seed up to ¼”; ripens from green to brown
Impatiens balfouriiBalfour’s touch- me-notOval-shaped leaves with long tip, serrated edgesLong stalks of 4-8 pinkish-purple flowers; petals fused to form hood and twin lips;1” pods, eject seeds when touched
Lespedeza cuneataSericea lespedezaCompound with 3 hairy leaflets with wedge-shaped bases1-4 pea-like flowers in leaf axils; white to cream petals with purple at base; early fallHairy seed pod
~1/10” wide
Linaria dalmaticaDalmatian toadflaxStalkless toothless leaves; waxy layer gives bluish hueRaceme of yellow flowers; petals form two lips, an orange throat, + long spur; May – Aug.Pods ½” long; winged black to brown seeds
Myosotis scorpioidesAquatic forget- me-notSparsely hairy, 1-3” long, ¼ - ¾” wide, smaller at top of stem; edges may have hairs esp. at baseRaceme of stalked flowers at tips of branching stems, bright to pale blue ¼ - 1/3” tubular flowers with 5 lobes + yellow center; flattened on top; May – Sept.4-parted fruit splits into 4 dark, shiny, egg shaped nutlets
<1/10”
Myosotis sylvaticaWoodland forget- me-notSparsely hairy, 1-3” long, ¼ - ¾” wide, smaller at top of stem; edges fringed with short hairsRaceme of stalked flowers at tips of branching stems; blue to pinkish-purple ¼ - 1/3” tubular flowers with 5 lobes + yellow center; flattened on top; May – Sept.4-parted fruit splits into 4 dark, shiny, egg shaped nutlets
<1/10”
Ranunculus ficariaLesser celandineDark green, shiny, kidney to heart- shaped leaves ¾ - 2” long in basal rosetteBright butter yellow 1” flowers with 8 – 12 petals; 3 green sepals at base of flowers; Mar – Apr.1/3” seedheads with
~15 dry ¼” long seeds
Securigera variaPurple crown vetchCompound leaves 2-4” long with 12-25 leaflets; leaflets up to ¾” wide, 1 ½” long, rounded at both ends1” round clusters of up to 25 pea-shaped ½” long pink flowers; lower petals paler than upper petalsFinger-like cluster of thin 2” pods that ripen to reddish- brown

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