Mertensia oblongifolia var. oblongifolia

Sagebrush bluebells

Family: Boraginaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

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.

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

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: 1580-2380 m

Bioregions: n SNH (rare), MP (esp Wrn)

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