Bluebells
Mertensia spp. Roth Description: Bluebells are perennial, native, herbs in the Borage Family. Aspen Bluebell, also known as Tall Bluebell, is 1’-3’ tall, erect to ascending, and with one to several stems. Mountain Bluebell is many-stemmed and erect or ascending to as much as 4’ tall. Aspen Bluebell basal leaves are narrowly to broadly egg-shaped to oblong-lance-shaped, and up to 6’ long and 2” wide. Leaves along the lower stems are usually petiolate and spatulate to oval while upper stem leaves are usually sessile, oval to narrowly egg-shaped, pointed, 1”-5” long and up to 2” wide. Mountain Bluebell basal leaves vary from oblong to egg- or lance-shaped or almost heart-shaped, 1”-6” long, 1”-4” wide, and on petioles. Cauline leaves are sessile and lance-shaped to pointed or rounded at the tips, becoming almost heart-shaped and with petioles at the base. Flower heads for both species are composed of multiple flowers on individual branches arising from the axils of the main branch of the inflorescence. Distribution and Habitat: Aspen Bluebell occurs in moist canyons, along streams, moist meadows in pinyon-juniper, mountain brush, ponderosa pine, aspen, and spruce-fir communities at 6,240’-11,050’ in all Utah counties except Daggett, Rich, Uintah, and Wayne. Mountain Bluebell occurs in mountain brush, aspen, conifer communities, and alpine tundra at 6,600’13,160’ in Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Grand, Iron, Rich, Salt Lake, San Juan, Summit, Wasatch, and Weber. General Information: Both Bluebell species are preferred forage for wildlife and livestock. Mountain Bluebell is reported to have been used to increase milk production in nursing mothers by Cheyenne Indians. Species referenced: M. arizonica E.L. Greene – Aspen Bluebell MEAR6 M. ciliata (James) G. Don – Mountain Bluebell MECI3 69
BORAGINACEAE
MERTE