Flora of East-Central Indiana

Virginia Bluebells
Scientific Name Mertensia virginica  (L.) Pers.
Family Name Boraginaceae (Borage Family)

 

mertensia_virginica_inflor.jpg (97804 bytes)

Characteristics
Habitat: rich, moist or wet woods
Plant Height: 20-60 cm tall; erect to slightly ascending; usually multiple stems from base branching near apex
Flower Color: lavender/blue
Flower: ovary superior with nectar rings at base; 5 stamens adnate at base of corolla tube which is 5 connate petals; 2.5 cm long; nodding
Inflorescence: compact, lateral cymes
Fruit: nutlet
Leaves: alternate; petioles winged; ovate to slightly rounded; entire; upper leaves reduced becoming bracts at base of peduncles
Bloom Time: April-May
Origins: native
Other: smooth, glaucous (covered with fine, waxy powder) plant with conspicuously veined leaves
mertensia_virginica_habit.jpg (53857 bytes) mertensia_virginica_singleflower.jpg (27244 bytes) mertensia_virginica_stamens.jpg (21549 bytes)
general habit general form single flower stamens

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information provided by

FSEEC
Field Station and
Environmental Education Center
Ball State University, Muncie, IN



comments to:
hbrown@bsu.edu