Mertensia brevistyla

(Short-style Bluebells)

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Mertensia brevistyla, Gore Pass, Grande Co. 9954

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Mertensia brevistyla, Gore Pass, Grande Co. 9946

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Mertensia brevistyla, Gore Pass, Grande Co. 9928

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Mertensia brevistyla, Gore Pass, Grande Co. 9930

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Mertensia brevistyla, Gore Pass, Grande Co. 9935

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Mertensia brevistyla, Gore Pass, Grande Co. 9957

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Mertensia brevistyla, Gore Pass, Grande Co. 9929

Scientific Name Mertensia brevistyla USDA PLANTS Symbol MEBR
Common Name Short-style Bluebells ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 31676
Family Boraginaceae (Forget-me-not) SW Colorado Wildflowers Ref. Click Here
Description Life zones and habitat: Foothills to montane (6300 to 10000 ft). Dryer soils in meadows, lightly-wooded and open areas.
Plant: Erect leafy perennial with single or multiple pubescent stems, 2 to 16 inches tall.
Leaves: Blue-green stem leaves, alternate, narrowly oblong, elliptic or spatulate, glabrous (hairless) underneath and strigose (rigidly appressed hairs) on the upper surface usually pointing away from the mid-vein of the leaf; usually without evident lateral veins; blades 3/4 to 3-1/2 inches long.
Inflorescence: Usually upright clusters of blue bell-shaped flowers; calyx less than 3/16-inch long, backs pubescent; filaments attached in the corolla tube and the anthers not projecting beyond the throat.
Bloom Period: April to June.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, US Forest Service and SW Colorado Wildflowers.		 BONAP Distribution Map

Map Color Key		 Colorado Status:
Native
Back to Blue/Purple Flowers

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains