Mertensia oblongifolia

Mertensia oblongifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	(unplaced)
Family:	Boraginaceae
Genus:	Mertensia
Species:	M. oblongifolia
Binomial name
Mertensia oblongifolia (Nutt.) G.Don

Mertensia oblongifolia is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common names oblongleaf bluebells and sagebrush bluebells. It is native to the western United States, where it grows in several types of habitat, including meadows and sagebrush. It is a perennial herb producing an many erect stems from a thick, branching caudex, approaching 40 centimeters in maximum height. The leaves are oval to lance-shaped, located all along the stem. The inflorescence is a dense, sometimes crowded cluster of hanging blue tubular flowers with expanded, bell-like mouths. The flower measures 1 to 2 centimeters long.

External links

Media related to Mertensia oblongifolia at Wikimedia Commons

• Jepson Manual Treatment
• USDA Plants Profile
• Photo gallery