Ringed bellflower – Symphyandra hofmanii Pantocsek

This is a biennial, rarely triennial, plant from the bellflower family (Campanulaceae).

Branching out from the base upwards, the ringed bellflower is up to 50 cm tall. The leaves are alternate, with an irregularly notched margin, ovate-spatulate at the bottom of the stem, lanceolate or elliptic towards the top. The flowers are large, hanging, and white or yellowish white. The plant blooms in July and August, rarely in September.

It inhabits areas of low hills in central Bosnia as well as an enclave in northern Bosnia, around the old town of Srebrenik. It is interesting that it grows in the catchment basins of three rivers: the Bosna, the Vrbas, and the Tinja. It grows on different geological strata as well as in different ecosystems – from rock crevices, thermophilic forests of manna ash and hop hornbeam to sessile oak and common hornbeam forests.

Because of its large flower and rich efflorescence, the ringed bellflower has horticultural value. The species is narrowly endemic to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is classified as a rare or potentially endangered species on the Bosnia and Herzegovina Red List.