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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 paniculata (Tall bluebells)
Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Mertensia paniculata

Mertensia paniculata (Aiton) G. Don

Tall Bluebells, Tall Lungwort

Boraginaceae (Borage Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: MEPA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

Tall Bluebells is a member of the borage or forget-me-not family (family Boraginaceae). Borages are generally herbs, often covered with bristly hairs.

 

From the Image Gallery

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Fruit Type: Schizocarp
Size Notes: About 5 feet tall, often shorter.
Fruit: Nutlets.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , CT , IA , ID , MI , MN , MT , OR , WA , WI
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NT , ON , QC , SK , YT

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist

Benefit

Warning: Can be toxic and in some cases fatal to animals. Humans should generally avoid ingesting plants that are toxic to animals. Honey made from these flowers also may be toxic.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FACU FACW FAC FAC FAC FAC
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 62 - Burke Herbarium Image Collection (2020) University of Washington
Webref 26 - Minnesota Wildflowers: a field guide to the flora of Minnesota (2009)
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-11-15
Research By: TWC Staff

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