Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Mertensia ciliata is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common names tall fringed bluebells, mountain bluebells, and streamside bluebells. It is native to the western United States, in California, Nevada, Utah, and Oregon. It often grows in moist habitat, such as subalpine meadows and creeksides. It often carpets large areas of meadow and hillside with blue-green foliage and sweet-scented bluebell blooms. Mertensia ciliata is a perennial herb producing a cluster of erect stems from a thick, branching caudex. The leafy stems reach well over a meter in maximum height. The veiny leaves are oval to lance-shaped and pointed. The inflorescence is an open array of many clustered blue bell-shaped flowers each between 1 and 2 centimeters long. The hanging, fragrant flower is tubular, expanding into a wider, lobed mouth. The flowers and leaves are edible. Mertensia ciliata is a perennial herb producing a cluster of erect stems from a thick, branching caudex. The leafy stems reach well over a meter in maximum height. The veiny leaves are oval to lance-shaped and pointed. The inflorescence is an open array of many clustered blue bell-shaped flowers each between 1 and 2 centimeters long. The hanging, fragrant flower is tubular, expanding into a wider, lobed mouth. The flowers and leaves are edible.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

2 - 3 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

Calscape icon
Color

Blue

Flowering season

Spring

Soil description

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Plant communities

Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Wetland-Riparian, Yellow Pine Forest

Bees
Butterflies

Pollinators supported

1 confirmed and 54 likely

  • Likely

  • Confirmed

Red-belted Bumble Bee

Bombus rufocinctus

Angelic Sweat Bee

Agapostemon angelicus

Milbert's Tortoiseshell

Aglais milberti

Birtwell's Miner Bee

Andrena birtwelli