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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Mertensia franciscana (Franciscan bluebells)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

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.

 

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Schizocarp
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Fruit: Nutlets.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Blue , Purple , Violet
Bloom 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 , UT
Native 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 Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist soils.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: OBL FACW FACW
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Mertensia franciscana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Mertensia franciscana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Mertensia franciscana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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