Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena

Beautiful sagebrush bluebells, Beautiful Sagebrush Bluebells

Mertensia oblongifolia — parent species of Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena

Photo: parent species Mertensia oblongifolia · (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence

Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena (Beautiful sagebrush bluebells) is a native California perennial in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by stem height, leaf hairiness, and internal corolla hairs.

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.

Identification and appearance

Key characters: Co-occurs with 6 species; distinguished by stem height, leaf hairiness, and internal corolla hairs

Habitat and range

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

Elevation: 1700-2130 m

Outside California: to Washington, Wyoming, Utah

Bloom period

Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena blooms Apr-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 oblongifolia var. amoena native to California?

Yes. Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena is native to California (recorded as native).

When does Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena bloom?

Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena blooms Apr-Jun.

What plant family does Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena belong to?

Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Mertensia.

Is Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena rare or endangered?

Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.

What habitat does Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena grow in?

Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena grows in Open slopes, drier meadows, generally spring-moist places, especially with sagebrush.

Related species

Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.

All Mertensia species · All Boraginaceae

Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB

Last updated 2026-09-30

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