Family: Boraginaceae
eastern bluebells, Virginia bluebells, Virginia cowslip
Robert R. Kowal
Merel R. Black
Bell Museum
Etymology: Mertensia: named after German botanist Franz K. Mertens (1764-1831)
Plants: erect, perennial, 12"-26" tall forb, leafy; stems fleshy
Leaves: alternate, hairless, upper leaves with rounded tips and usually stalkless
Flowers: blue to pink (occasionally white), 5-parted, 3/4"-1" long, trumpet-shaped, nodding; inflorescence a small, branched cluster (cyme) at the end of the stems on a hairless stalk; blooms May-June
Fruits: nutlet, often wrinkled
Habitat: moist to wet; woods
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 12"-26" tall forb, leafy; stems fleshy
Leaves: alternate, hairless, upper leaves with rounded tips and usually stalkless
Flowers: blue to pink (occasionally white), 5-parted, 3/4"-1" long, trumpet-shaped, nodding; inflorescence a small, branched cluster (cyme) at the end of the stems on a hairless stalk; blooms May-June
Fruits: nutlet, often wrinkled
Habitat: moist to wet; woods
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 4, Wetland Indicator = FACW USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Merel R. Black
Derek Anderson
Christopher Noll
Matthew L. Wagner
Robert R. Kowal
Derek Anderson
Robert Bierman
Botanical Illustration
Paul Drobot
Paul Drobot
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Matthew L. Wagner
Aaron Carlson
S. Kelly Kearns
Derek Anderson
