Short-lived perennial, or even biennial depending on conditions, belonging to the Campanulaceae family. Endemic to Greece, it is confined to limestone rocks, cliffs, and dry, sunny screes of the mountains of the Peloponnese and some Greek islands, at varying altitudes depending on the sites.
It forms loose and spreading clumps, 10 to 20 cm in height, with stems branching from the base and bearing densely tomentose foliage, a silvery gray-green very soft to the touch. The leaves are oval to heart-shaped, crenate, covered with a tight whitish down on both sides, giving them this immediately recognizable velvety and matte appearance, visible in the photograph.
The flowers, widely open in a flared star with five well-separated lobes, are pale lilac to lavender white, with a lighter, almost white center. Their delicate texture and pastel hue pleasantly contrast with the silvery foliage. They are abundantly borne over the entire clump, creating a very particular lightness effect.
In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from May to July. In cultivation under temperate climate, it generally blooms from May to June.
It requires perfect drainage, a very well-drained calcareous substrate, and full sun exposure. Sensitive to excess winter moisture, it is advantageously cultivated in a pot, alpine box, or under cold shelter. A plant for discerning collectors.