Mertensia oblongifolia var. nevadensis
Sagebrush bluebells
Photo: parent species Mertensia oblongifolia · (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Mertensia oblongifolia var. nevadensis (Sagebrush bluebells) is a native California perennial in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by short stems, glabrous leaves, and smooth corolla interior.
Sagebrush bluebells is a California native perennial found in northern and central Sierra Nevada Mountains, Warner Mountains, and northern eastern Sierra Nevada in open slopes and drier meadows at elevations of 1,760 to 2,510 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces pale blue to lavender flowers with delicate, trumpet-shaped corollas. Growing with stems generally less than 20 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in spring-moist places, especially around sagebrush habitats. Its leaves are nearly smooth with occasional subtle surface bumps, spreading in low, graceful arrangements across the plant's base. The flower's corolla tube is notably glabrous inside, giving the delicate blossoms a clean, refined appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 6 species; distinguished by short stems, glabrous leaves, and smooth corolla interior
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open slopes, drier meadows, generally spring-moist places, especially with sagebrush
Elevation: 1760-2510 m
California counties: Modoc, El Dorado, Amador, Mono, Sierra, Alpine
Outside California: to eastern Oregon, Idaho, Colorado
Bloom period
Mertensia oblongifolia var. nevadensis blooms Apr-Jun.
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. nevadensis native to California?
Yes. Mertensia oblongifolia var. nevadensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Mertensia oblongifolia var. nevadensis bloom?
Mertensia oblongifolia var. nevadensis blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Mertensia oblongifolia var. nevadensis grow?
Mertensia oblongifolia var. nevadensis occurs in Modoc, El Dorado, Amador, Mono, Sierra, Alpine, at elevations of 1760-2510 m.
What plant family does Mertensia oblongifolia var. nevadensis belong to?
Mertensia oblongifolia var. nevadensis is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Mertensia.
What habitat does Mertensia oblongifolia var. nevadensis grow in?
Mertensia oblongifolia var. nevadensis 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.
- Mertensia oblongifolia var. oblongifolia — Sagebrush bluebells
- Mertensia sp. — Bluebell
- Mertensia bella — Oregon lungwort
- Mertensia ciliata var. stomatechoides — Streamside bluebell
- Mertensia cusickii — Toiyabe bluebells
- Mertensia longiflora — Long bluebells
- Myosotis discolor — Changing forget-me-not
- Myosotis latifolia — Broadleaved forget-me-not
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.