There are about 267 species of Wahlenbergia worldwide, of which most are found in South Africa. Most of them are annuals or herbaceous perennials with bell-shaped flowers in shades of mauve, blue, white, or cream.

Wahlenbergia paniculata, synonymously known as Campanula paniculata is a South African endemic erect annual found in the Western Cape province. This eye-catching annual branches from the base with hairy stems and narrow leaves. During spring it produces loose clusters of tubular blue flowers with spreading petals.