Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena

Beautiful sagebrush bluebells, Beautiful Sagebrush Bluebells

Family: Boraginaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Beautiful sagebrush bluebells is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada and Warner Mountains in open slopes and drier meadows with sagebrush at elevations of 1,700 to 2,130 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces blue to purple flowers with a corolla tube that is notably hairy inside. Growing with stems generally over 20 centimeters tall, it has an upright and branching habit. Its leaves have blades that are distinctively hairy on both surfaces, creating a soft, textured appearance. The plant thrives in spring-moist locations, particularly in areas with sagebrush communities.

Habitat: Open slopes, drier meadows, generally spring-moist places, especially with sagebrush

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: 1700-2130 m

Bioregions: n SNH (rare), Wrn

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.