Mertensia oblongifolia
Sagebrush bluebell, Sagebrush Bluebell
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Mertensia oblongifolia (Sagebrush bluebell) is a native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by Low (<4 dm) bluebell from a stout deep taproot/caudex; firmly attached stems; leaf veins obscure; short corolla limb.
Sagebrush bluebell is a California native perennial found in the sagebrush and mountain regions at elevations typically associated with montane and subalpine zones. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces blue to purple flowers in compact, panicle-like clusters with delicate, trumpet-shaped blooms 10 to 20 millimeters long. Growing with multiple sturdy stems emerging from a thick, fleshy taproot, it reaches heights generally less than 40 centimeters tall and forms dense clumps. Its leaves are distinctive, with basal leaves well-developed and cauline leaves 2.5 to 7 times longer than wide, positioned alternately along the stems. The plant's underground structure features a stout, deep taproot that allows it to thrive in potentially harsh, rocky mountain environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Low (<4 dm) bluebell from a stout deep taproot/caudex; firmly attached stems; leaf veins obscure; short corolla limb
Habitat and range
California counties: Mono, Modoc, El Dorado, Lassen, Alpine, Tulare, Siskiyou
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 oblongifolia native to California?
Yes. Mertensia oblongifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Mertensia oblongifolia grow?
Mertensia oblongifolia occurs in Mono, Modoc, El Dorado, Lassen, Alpine, Tulare, Siskiyou.
What plant family does Mertensia oblongifolia belong to?
Mertensia oblongifolia is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Mertensia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena — Beautiful sagebrush bluebells
- Mertensia oblongifolia var. nevadensis — Sagebrush bluebells
- Mertensia oblongifolia var. oblongifolia — Sagebrush bluebells
- Mertensia sp. — Bluebell
- Mertensia bella — Oregon lungwort
- Mertensia ciliata var. stomatechoides — Streamside bluebell
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.