Mertensia cusickii
Toiyabe bluebells
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Mertensia cusickii (Toiyabe bluebells) is a native California perennial in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by spreading hairs and internal corolla ring.
Toiyabe bluebells is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the Warner Mountains in streamsides, dry drainage-bottoms, wooded slopes, and drying meadows at elevations around 2,650 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces light blue to lavender flowers with a tubular corolla 10 to 16 millimeters long, featuring a distinctive ring of hairs inside the base. Growing 30 to 50 centimeters tall with a branched taprooted caudex and sparse-spreading stems, it forms clustered growth with somewhat sparse hairs. Its leaves vary from large petioled basal leaves to smaller sessile cauline leaves that are noticeably veiny, with lower leaves being larger and more prominent. The plant develops an open or somewhat dense panicle-like inflorescence, creating a delicate and airy appearance in its mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 6 species; key feature is spreading hairs and internal corolla ring
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streamsides, dry drainage-bottoms, wooded slopes, drying meadows
Elevation: +- 2650 m.
Outside California: to southeastern Oregon, southwestern Idaho, central Nevada
Bloom period
Mertensia cusickii blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Hackelia: Mertensia has bell-shaped flowers and smooth seeds; Hackelia has flat flowers and barbed seeds.; vs Penstemon: Mertensia flowers are cylindrical bells; Penstemon flowers are clearly 2-lipped tubes.; vs Iochroma: Mertensia is herbaceous mountain native; Iochroma is woody tropical shrub with larger flowers.; vs Billardiera: Mertensia has bell-shaped borage flowers; Billardiera is a climbing vine with twisted petals.; vs Echium: Mertensia has symmetrical bell flowers; Echium has distinctly lopsided tubular flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mertensia cusickii native to California?
Yes. Mertensia cusickii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mertensia cusickii bloom?
Mertensia cusickii blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Mertensia cusickii belong to?
Mertensia cusickii is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Mertensia.
Is Mertensia cusickii rare or endangered?
Mertensia cusickii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Mertensia cusickii grow in?
Mertensia cusickii grows in Streamsides, dry drainage-bottoms, wooded slopes, drying meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.