Mertensia oblongifolia is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common names oblongleaf bluebells and sagebrush bluebells.

Mertensia oblongifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Boraginales
Family:	Boraginaceae
Genus:	Mertensia
Species:	M. oblongifolia
Binomial name
Mertensia oblongifolia (Nutt.) G.Don, 1838

It is native to the western United States, where it grows in several types of habitat, including meadows and sagebrush.

Description

Mertensia oblongifolia is a perennial herb producing many erect stems from a thick, branching caudex, approaching 40 centimeters in maximum height. The leaves are oval to lance-shaped, located all along the stem. The inflorescence is a dense, sometimes crowded cluster of hanging blue tubular flowers with expanded, bell-like mouths. The flower measures 1 to 2 centimeters long.

External links

Media related to Mertensia oblongifolia at Wikimedia Commons

• Jepson Manual Treatment of Mertensia oblongifolia
• Mertensia oblongifolia — UC Photo gallery