Online Virtual Flora of Wisconsin

Mertensia virginica (L.) Pers. ex Link

Family: Boraginaceae

eastern bluebells, Virginia bluebells, Virginia cowslip

Robert R. Kowal

Merel R. Black

University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)

Open Interactive Map

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

Rich, moist woods along streams and rivers, limestone bluffs along rivers, steep wooded slopes, ravine bottoms, even in low fields. Native only in the southwestern part of the state (and perhaps the extreme southeast) but widely cultivated and easily escaping to woodlots and forests and appearing as if native. Escaped populations have been observed as far north as Outagamie and Portage Cos. This is a true spring ephemeral, the plants withering by June.