Jacob's-ladder
Jacob's-ladder in a hedge - Ipswich
Protandrous flower (stamens first)
Flower showing style and 3-lobed stigmas
Sepals and immature capsules
Leaves
Polemonium caeruleum
Polemoniaceae
June to August
Native plants are found onon northern hills.
Naturalised garden escapes are scattered throughout the
country but are most common in the Northwest and West.
See the BSBI distribution map for Jacob's-ladder
It is native on limestone uplands.
The garden escapes are naturalised in hedgerows and on river
banks, usually close to habitation..
Jacob's-ladder is a rhizomatous, clump-forming perennial herb,
growing up to 90cm.
The flowers are in loose clusters and often drooping.
Flowers are up to 2cm with 5 blue petals with white patches at
their base.
There are 5 dangly stamens with prominent anthers which
appear before the style.
The style is long with a 3-lobed stigma.
Nectaries at the base of the ovary attract insects, especially
bees.
Seeds are in capsules, which are located in the base of the
calyx tube.
Leaves are up to 40cm long and consist of rows of opposite
leaflets.
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Jacob's-ladder in a hedge - Ipswich
Protandrous flower (stamens first)
Flower showing style and 3-lobed stigmas
Sepals and immature capsules
Leaves
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