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Mertensia ciliata - (James.)G.Don.

Common Name Mountain Bell, Tall fringed bluebells
Family Boraginaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Streambanks, wet meadows, damp thickets and wet cliffs from the foothills to high elevations in the mountains[60, 172].
Range South-western N. America - Oregon to New Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Mertensia ciliata Mountain Bell, Tall fringed bluebells


www.nps.gov
Mertensia ciliata Mountain Bell, Tall fringed bluebells
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:JerryFriedman

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Mertensia ciliata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves
Edible Uses:

Flowers - raw[172]. Leaves - raw or cooked[172]. The leaves are rather hairy and are not so nice when eaten raw[172].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antipruritic  Galactogogue

The plant is galactogogue[257]. An infusion has been used to increase the milk flow of nursing mothers[257]. An infusion of the powdered root has been used to relieve the itching caused by smallpox and measles[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in an ordinary garden soil with some shade[1, 111]. Requires a moist peaty soil in full sun or light shade[187]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187]. A very ornamental plant[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[1, 200]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Protect from direct sunlight[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division, with care, in early spring or autumn[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming New Mexico, California, Nevada, Utah)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Mertensia bellaBeautiful bluebellsPerennial0.6 0-0  LMHSNMWe10 
Mertensia longifloraSmall bluebellsPerennial0.4 3-7  LMHSNM10 
Mertensia maritimaOyster PlantPerennial0.2 3-7  LMNDM30 
Mertensia oblongifoliaOblongleaf bluebellsPerennial0.3 4-8  LMHSNMWe10 
Mertensia paniculataTall bluebells, Alaska tall bluebells, Northern bluebells, Eastwood's bluebellsPerennial0.8 4-8  LMHSNMWe10 
Saxifraga mertensianaWood saxifragePerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNMWe10 
Tsuga mertensianaMountain HemlockTree45.0 5-7 MLMHFSNM123

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(James.)G.Don.

Botanical References

60200

Links / References

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