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| Scientific Name | Mertensia alpina | USDA PLANTS Symbol | MEAL7 |
| Common Name | Alpine Bluebells | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 31665 |
| Family | Boraginaceae (Forget-me-not) | SEINet Reference |
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Life zones and habitat: Subalpine to alpine (11000 to 14000 ft). Meadows, tundra, rocky open areas. Plant: Leafy perennial 2 to 8 inches tall, may be branched from base, stems prostrate or upright. Leaves: Basal and stem leaves, linear-lanceolate to oblong, 1/2 to 2-3/4 inches long, short hairs on upper surfaces, smooth beneath, lateral veins obscure. Inflorescence: Clusters of small bell-shaped blossoms about 1/3-inch long atop stems, often pointing upward; corolla tubes with yellowish centers and 5 deep blue lobes; 5 pointed sepals united at base; anthers do not extend beyond tubes. Bloom Period: June to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield and Montana Field Guide, etal. |
BONAP Distribution Map
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Colorado Status: Native |
| Scientific Name | Mertensia brevistyla | USDA PLANTS Symbol | MEBR |
| Common Name | Short-style Bluebells | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 31676 |
| Family | Boraginaceae (Forget-me-not) | SW Colorado Wildflowers Ref. | Click Here |
| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Foothills to montane (6300 to 10000 ft). Dryer soils in meadows, lightly-wooded and open areas. Plant: Erect leafy perennial with single or multiple pubescent stems, 2 to 16 inches tall. Leaves: Blue-green stem leaves, alternate, narrowly oblong, elliptic or spatulate, glabrous (hairless) underneath and strigose (rigidly appressed hairs) on the upper surface usually pointing away from the mid-vein of the leaf; usually without evident lateral veins; blades 3/4 to 3-1/2 inches long. Inflorescence: Usually upright clusters of blue bell-shaped flowers; calyx less than 3/16-inch long, backs pubescent; filaments attached in the corolla tube and the anthers not projecting beyond the throat. Bloom Period: April to June. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, US Forest Service and SW Colorado Wildflowers. |
BONAP Distribution Map
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Colorado Status: Native |
| Scientific Name | Mertensia ciliata | USDA PLANTS Symbol | MECI3 |
| Common Name | Mountain Bluebells, Tall Fringed Bluebells | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 31668 |
| Family | Boraginaceae (Forget-me-not) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Foothills to alpine (6000 to 12500 ft). Moist areas along stream banks, ponds. Plant: Erect leafy perennial with multiple stems 8 to 36 inches tall often growing in large stands. Leaves: Blue-green basal and stem leaves, alternate, ovate to laneolate-ovate; up to 6 inches long (basal leaves longer than stem leaves); prominent lateral veins, smooth surfaces, with very small cilia (hairs) along edges. Inflorescence: Clusters of nodding blue, sometimes pink, rarely white, bell-shaped flowers; calyx less than 1/8-inch long, divided to the base, lobes rounded at the tip with cilia (hairs) along edges; corolla 3/8 to 5/8-inch long. Bloom Period: June to August. References: "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel, "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield and Montana Field Guide. |
BONAP Distribution Map
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Colorado Status: Native |
| Scientific Name | Mertensia franciscana | USDA PLANTS Symbol | MEFR2 |
| Common Name | Franciscan Bluebells | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 31679 |
| Family | Boraginaceae (Forget-me-not) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Foothills to subalpine (6500 to 10800). Along stream banks, ponds and damp to moist meadows. Plant: Erect leafy perennial 16 to 40 inches tall, multiple stems, often growing in colonies. Leaves: Green basal and stem leaves, alternate, ovate to elliptic or lanceolate-ovate, prominent veins; 2 to 4 inches long (basal leaves longer than stem leaves); apparently smooth surfaces--indistinguishabe w/o magnification hairs on upper surface and (sometimes) pustules on lower. Inflorescence: Clusters of nodding blue, sometimes pink, rarely white, bell-shaped flowers on strigose (short-hairy) pedicels; calyx ~1/6-inch long, divided almost to base with linear-lanceolate lobes ~1/16-inch wide at base and very hairy margins; corolla tube 1/3-inch long or shorter. Bloom Period: June to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map
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Colorado Status: Native |
| Scientific Name | Mertensia lanceolata | USDA PLANTS Symbol | MELA3 |
| Common Name | Prairie Bluebells | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 31681 |
| Family | Boraginaceae (Forget-me-not) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Foothills to alpine (8500 to 14000 ft). Open, dryer areas in meadows and woodland openings. Plant: Erect leafy perennial 8 to 14 inches tall, growing singley or in clusters. A variable and complex species. Leaves: Green basal and stem leaves, alternate, broadly-lanceolate, leaf surfaces vary from smooth to hairy (strigose-short, flattened hairs); prominent center vein but no lateral veins. Inflorescence: Compact clusters of downward-pointing dark to pale blue, sometimes pinkish, bell-shaped flowers; calyx hairy, ciliate, 1/8 to 1/4-inch long, divided 2/3-way to the base; corolla 1/3 to 1/2-inch long. Bloom Period: May to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, www.swcoloradowildflowers.com and www.americansouthwest.net and Montana Field Guide. Note: The images below are likely var. nivalis according to the description in "Flora of Colorado" that indicates this variant is found from 8500 to 14000 ft. | BONAP Distribution Map
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Colorado Status: Native |
