Native Plants
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Mertensia franciscana
Mertensia franciscana A. Heller
Franciscan Bluebells, Franciscan Lungwort
Boraginaceae (Borage Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: MEFR2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Franciscan Bluebells is a leafy-stemmed perennial, 2-3 ft. or more tall. The petioled basal leaves are large and round. Stem leaves are more lance-shaped. Showy flowers occur in branched clusters at the tops of the stems. Individual flowers are lavender-blue and tubular, deeply divided into five lobes.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Schizocarp
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Fruit: Nutlets.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , Blue , Purple , VioletBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Usually pink when immature, turning to blue-purple. Sometimes almost white.
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , NM , NV , UTNative Distribution: W. CO & UT, s. to NM & AZ
Native Habitat: Moist, shaded places in pine & aspen belts above 7000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist soils.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | FACW | FACW |
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterAdditional resources
USDA: Find Mertensia franciscana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Mertensia franciscana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Mertensia franciscana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-20Research By: TWC Staff