Mertensia longiflora
| Mertensia longiflora | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mertensia longiflora near Cashmere, Chelan County Washington | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Boraginales |
| Family: | Boraginaceae |
| Genus: | Mertensia |
| Species: | M. longiflora |
| Binomial name | |
| Mertensia longiflora | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Mertensia longiflora is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common names small bluebells and long bluebells.
Description
[edit]It is a perennial herb growing from branched and tuberous roots[3] in the form of a caudex. The erect stem averages about 18 centimetres (7+1⁄8 in) in height.[3] There are a few oval to lance-shaped leaves.
The inflorescence is a dense, often crowded cluster of hanging tubular flowers which are fused at the base and expand into lobed and bell-like mouths.[3] They are generally bright blue, but may be lavender to pinkish to nearly white, and measure up to 2.5 cm long.
Taxonomy
[edit]Mertensia longiflora was scientifically described and named by Edward Lee Greene in 1898. It is classified in the genus Mertensia within the Boraginaceae family. The species has no accepted varieties, but has two among its six heterotypic synonyms.[2]
| Name | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Mertensia horneri Piper | 1906 | species |
| Mertensia longiflora f. alba B.Boivin | 1966 | form |
| Mertensia longiflora var. horneri (Piper) J.F.Macbr. | 1916 | variety |
| Mertensia longiflora var. pulchella (Piper) J.F.Macbr. | 1916 | variety |
| Mertensia pulchella Piper | 1906 | species |
| Mertensia pulchella subsp. glauca Piper | 1906 | subspecies |
Range
[edit]Long bluebells are native to western Canada and the western United States. In Canada it grows in Alberta and British Columbia. In the US it grows in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, California, and Nevada.[2]
References
[edit]- ↑ NatureServe (5 June 2026). "Mertensia longiflora". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 POWO (2026). "Mertensia longiflora Greene". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 Taylor, Ronald J. (1994) [1992]. Sagebrush Country: A Wildflower Sanctuary (rev. ed.). Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Pub. Co. p. 22. ISBN 0-87842-280-3. OCLC 25708726.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Mertensia longiflora at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Mertensia longiflora at Wikispecies- "Mertensia longiflora". Plants for a Future.
- Jepson Manual Treatment
- Mertensia longiflora in the CalPhotos photo database, University of California, Berkeley
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