Boraginaceae

Mertensia paniculata

Tall Bluebells

Ascending to trailing stems few to many. Leaves with hairless upper surface, underside hairy. Basal leaves 2–8 in. long, about 1/2 as wide, with long petioles, egg- to heart-shaped; stem leaves thin, easily bruised, with obvious veins and short, winged petioles. Flowers blue, occasionally pink, in loose cluster among top leaves. Flower is a short tube flaring into longer bell shape with 5 lobes, hairy. Grows in moist meadows and woods in mountains to 8000 ft.

• Rarity: Locally Common
• Flowering Time: Early Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 24--60 inches
• Habitat: Meadow, West-Side Forest, East-Side Forest
• Found In: Wallowas, Olympic Np, Mt. Rainier Np, N Cascades Np, Crater Lake Np
• Native: Yes