Mertensia oblongifolia var. oblongifolia

Sagebrush bluebells

Mertensia oblongifolia — parent species of Mertensia oblongifolia var. oblongifolia

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. oblongifolia (Sagebrush bluebells) is a native California perennial in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by stem height, leaf hairiness pattern, and internal corolla hairs.

Sagebrush bluebells is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada and the Warner Mountains of the Great Basin in open slopes and drier meadows at elevations of 1,580 to 2,380 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces blue to lavender flowers with a distinctive corolla tube that is hairy inside. Growing with stems generally over 20 centimeters tall, it develops an upright and open growth habit. Its leaves are distinctive, with glabrous undersides and hairy upper surfaces, creating a soft textural appearance. In spring-moist places with sagebrush, the plant forms delicate clusters of bluebells that contrast beautifully with the surrounding landscape.

Identification and appearance

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

Habitat and range

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

Elevation: 1580-2380 m

Outside California: to eastern Washington, Wyoming, Utah

Bloom period

Mertensia oblongifolia var. oblongifolia 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. oblongifolia native to California?

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

When does Mertensia oblongifolia var. oblongifolia bloom?

Mertensia oblongifolia var. oblongifolia blooms Apr-Jun.

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

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

Is Mertensia oblongifolia var. oblongifolia rare or endangered?

Mertensia oblongifolia var. oblongifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S3.

What habitat does Mertensia oblongifolia var. oblongifolia grow in?

Mertensia oblongifolia var. oblongifolia 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.