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Plant Identification Help - Is it the dreaded CBF? #930303

Asked May 01, 2026, 2:16 PM EDT

Hello! I have a ravine on my property and have been slowly working on removing invasives throughout the past 5 years. Since removing a significant amount of buckthorn, many native plants have popped up which has been wonderful. But as I was doing my spring buckthorn check, I noticed a really large patch of what I thought could be creeping bellflower. I also found two singular clumps in my front yard and have seen flowers at my neighbor's house before, so there's a good chance it could be that. I can't seem to find any information online about what the stems look like when broken except that they secrete a milky white substance (which is what I've previously experience with CBF). The plants that I'm trying to identify have something more like a filament running through the stems and don't secrete anything. Is there any chance I've lucked out and this isn't creeping bellflower? Thank you for your help!

Chisago County Minnesota

Expert Response

This may be the American bellflower, which has a central filament.  This variety has clear sap.  It spreads by dropping seeds and its flowers are flat and star-shaped.
Check out the photos in the following links:
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/american-bellflower
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/creeping-bellflower
https://northerngardener.org/creeping-bellflower/

Compare your plants with those in the photos, including the blooms when they flower.  There is a good chance you don't have the dreaded creeping bellflower.

Diane M Replied May 01, 2026, 6:53 PM EDT

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