LAUSR

Campanula baumgartenii is an endemic species of the polyploid complex Campanula section Heterophylla with a peculiar bicentric distribution. C. baumgartenii often grows in sympatry with other morphologically similar Campanula species (C. rotundifolia). Hence its species status has been doubtful. Using a multimethodological approach we confirmed the species status of C. baumgartenii and uncovered complex patterns of genetic and ploidal variability. These were identified as resulting from dynamic and ongoing evolutionary processes including several hybridization and backcrossing events. This study also illustrates that detailed population genetic studies can provide a solid basis for sound identification of conservation targets.